Penske Racing to return to Ford camp in 2013

Penske Racing to return to Ford camp in 2013

March 1, 2012

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

In a move that simultaneously signals a return to a familiar place for Penske Racing and leaves car maker Dodge scrambling to maintain its presence, team owner Roger Penske announced Thursday that his teams will move from Dodge to Ford, starting with the 2013 season.

Most recently, Penske fielded Fords from 1994 through 2002 before switching to Dodge in 2003. All told, Penske posted 27 Sprint Cup victories and one Nationwide Series win in a combined 524 starts (509 Cup and 15 Nationwide) in Ford products.

The deal with Ford covers both the Cup and Nationwide Series. With NASCAR set to introduce a new racecar to the Cup series next year, both Penske and Ford officials felt it was imperative to get the deal done as quickly as possible.

"It was important to get this agreement in place early so that we can plan ahead for the debut of the new 2013 NASCAR Fusion," said Jamie Allison, Ford Racing director. "We will work with Roush Fenway on the final development of the new car during this season, but we want to be able to have our teams building their new cars for the 2013 season before the end of the year, as the transition to the new body is taking place.

"With the operations and technology resources Penske brings from all forms of racing, we know they will be a strong addition to our program, and we look forward to working with them and all our teams to create a stronger Ford NASCAR program with even greater depth."

The source of Ford engines for the Penske program remains an open question. Penske has its own engine shop, but Roush Yates Engines supplies power to the Ford camp and has done so admirably, based on the results of the last season and the last two weeks.

If the announcement raises Ford's profile with the acquisition of two of the sport's most promising young drivers -- Brad Keselowski and AJ Allmendinger -- it leaves Dodge looking for new partners for 2013 and beyond.

Keselowski gave Penske its first NASCAR championship, driving a Dodge to the Nationwide title in 2010, and Penske paid homage to the brand in his remarks on Thursday.

"Penske Racing has had and continues to have a terrific relationship with Dodge, and we thank them for their partnership and their support over the past 10 years," Penske said. "Our organizations have experienced many great memories together, and our teams are committed to produce wins and championships with Dodge this season.

"We look forward to rejoining the Ford Racing NASCAR program beginning in 2013. We appreciate the long-term commitment that Ford has made to Penske Racing and for their continued support of the sport."

Penske and Dodge brand president and CEO Ralph Gilles both have referred to Penske Racing as a de facto factory team, but that relationship will cease at the end of the season.

As recently as late January, Dodge was an integral part of the Penske presentation during the Sprint Media Tour in Concord, N.C. Penske also was heavily involved in the development of the new 2013 Dodge Charger racecar the manufacturer plans to unveil March 11 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.