GM Pulling Support From Nationwide & Camping World Series

I've been wondering when, in light of the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies, the cutbacks would hit NASCAR:

General Motors is cutting factory support for Chevrolet teams competing in the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series as the automaker restructures under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to a story that will appear in Friday's edition of SportsBusiness Journal.

According to the SBJ, the cost-cutting measures are likely to have the greatest affect on larger organizations, such as Kevin Harvick Inc., which fields teams in both series, and Rusty Wallace Inc. and JR Motorsports, which field teams in the Nationwide Series.

KHI has four victories in 232 starts in the Nationwide Series and 19 wins in 205 starts in the Truck Series. Driving one of Harvick's trucks in 2007, Ron Hornaday won four races and the series championship.

JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick, has posted five victories in 165 Nationwide Series starts. Brad Keselowski collected JRM's only win of the 2009 season May 30 at Dover.

Support from manufacturers typically comes in the forms of engines, parts and cash. In most cases, factory support goes to larger, more substantial organizations, while smaller teams receive little assistance, if any.

"Chevrolet's [and GM's] involvement in racing is a sound business decision that translates directly into the sale of cars and trucks," an unidentified GM spokesperson said in a statement provided to SBJ. "It is essential, however, that we continue to look at every penny we spend as General Motors takes the necessary steps to become a leaner company with a significantly stronger balance sheet.

"While Chevy Racing is talking to its business partners about ways to reduce cost and maximize the return on investment, it is our policy to not talk about the details of business relationships with our partners."

So far no announcement about Dodge's involvement in the sport.

I don't know if the lack of Chevy support will put any of these teams out of business, but it may force them to cut back and eliminate a team or scale back their operation.

The door is now open for Ford or Toyota to step in and take over sponsorship of these teams.