Dodge Motorsports 2010 NASCAR Season Preview

Date: 01.20.10

PRESS RELEASE:

Charlotte, N.C., Jan 20, 2010 –

Two iconic motorsports brands will deepen their NASCAR partnership for the 2010 race season. Dodge, the performance brand of Chrysler Group LLC, has expanded its partnership with Penske Racing, representing Dodge’s expanded commitment to support entries in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series.

Since 2001, Dodge Motorsports has partnered with Penske Racing in stock car racing’s premier division – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Beginning in 2010, Dodge Motorsports will expand its involvement into the NASCAR Nationwide Series where it will provide support for two Penske Racing entries.

“Dodge’s firm commitment to stock car racing in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series is demonstrated by our performance-driven technology being developed alongside one of the premier racing programs in American motorsports history,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of Dodge Car Brand. “Penske Racing is an elite organization that shares the same passion for performance and racing as Dodge customers and the brand itself. This partnership creates a strong and targeted approach to our motorsports program in our quest to become champions of NASCAR.”

Entering its second decade since returning to NASCAR’s premier series, Dodge’s goal has been to win races, have multiple teams make The Chase and compete for the Sprint Cup while providing the highest quality technological resources to its race teams. Since 2001,

Dodge teams have posted 45 wins in NASCAR’s premier series including the historic Daytona 500.

“Motorsports is a significant part of Dodge’s legacy,” added Gilles. “NASCAR’s audience is an enthusiast’s audience and provides Dodge a platform to showcase the power and performance of the Dodge brand to our target customers where they live and play.”

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
Three Penske Racing entries will lead Dodge Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010 led by 20-time winner Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger). Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, looks to build on an impressive 2009 campaign which saw the “Blue Deuce” visit victory lane twice while finishing fourth in the season driver’s standings – best in class for 2009. Sam Hornish Jr. (No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger) returns for his third year, joining Brad Keselowski (No. 12 Dodge Charger) who enters his first full season with Penske Racing after running the final four races in the No. 12 Dodge Charger.

“We’re confident our three drivers and Penske Racing will represent Dodge well in the Sprint Cup Series in 2010,” said Gilles. “The objective is clear. We expect to win races, have drivers in The Chase and compete for the 2010 Sprint Cup Series championship.”

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES
Dodge Motorsports will look to 2009 Rookie of the Year winner Justin Allgaier (No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger) and four-time Nationwide Series event winner Brad Keselowski (No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger) to lead a two-team Penske Racing entry with both running the full Nationwide Series schedule. This will mark the first time that Dodge will be involved in the Nationwide Series at the corporate level since returning to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2001.

The Dodge Challenger will be used at the four “New Car” races designated by NASCAR for 2010, starting at Daytona in July. At the other 31 events that complete the 35-race season, Penske Racing will field Dodge Chargers as it did during the 2009 season.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Penske Racing into the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Gilles. “Our commitment to the Nationwide Series will continue to heighten awareness of our performance-driven Dodge brands while delivering excitement to our loyal Dodge enthusiasts.”

About Dodge
Dodge is a full line of cars, SUVs and MPVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Viper SRT10.

Dodge introduced two new vehicles for the 2009 model year: the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand’s first crossover vehicle and the 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern-day American muscle car. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. J.D. Power and Associates further acknowledged this leadership by naming the Dodge Grand Caravan the Most Dependable Van for 2009. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in the minivan segment with unsurpassed fuel economy of 17 city / 25 highway mpg and minivan-first innovations including the segment’s only Stow ‘n Go® and Swivel ‘n Go™ seating and storage systems. The 2010 Dodge Avenger, with ESC, also earned the 2009 Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

About Penske Racing
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced over 300 major race wins, more than 350 pole positions and 22 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

Dodge Charger Racing Heritage
The Dodge Charger has recorded 139 wins in NASCAR’s premier series with 124 coming during an 11-year span, 1966-1977. Three drivers – David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and Richard

Petty (3) – combined for five championships during that period driving a Charger. After an absence of almost 30 years, Dodge returned to NASCAR competition in 2001 with the Charger returning to the track in 2005.

Source: Chrysler Media Services