Chevrolet (Holden) Caprice for NASCAR?

Chevrolet has announced it will contest the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup with a brand-new nameplate, and US website Autoblog is speculating it will be the Holden-sourced Caprice.

It’s big news if there’s actually any substance to this theory, as NASCAR is America’s premier motor racing category, attracting more TV viewers than any other sport barring gridiron.

Autoblog arrived at its conclusion based on the manufacturer’s statement that says: “Team Chevy will be racing a vehicle based on a new nameplate to the brand’s lineup”, which rules out the Cruze and Malibu (as they’re not new).

This leaves the Caprice, which is currently available in the US only as a cop car, prompting Autoblog to pose the question whether the large sedan will finally be offered to American punters as a high-performance rear-drive sedan.

Autoblog goes on to ask: “If so, what will it be called, and will it wear the coveted SS nomenclature?”

The largest sedan currently in Chevy’s line-up is the front-wheel-drive Impala, which has formed the basis (at least for marketing purposes) for its existing NASCAR racer (obviously sharing nothing barring the nameplate with its road-going counterpart).

Chevrolet’s press release states its 2013 contender will take advantage of the new NASCAR rules that allow manufacturers to display more of their brand identity in their racecars.

The press blurb quotes Chevrolet performance vehicles and motorsport boss Jim Campbell, who says “the new Chevrolet racecar will closely resemble the production version. Both cars will be unveiled in the coming year.”

“We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles. We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new racecar and we hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable,” Campbell added.

The current Chevrolet racecar, the Impala, has been a strong campaigner for the brand, taking the chequered flag 79 times since its 2007 debut.

Chevrolet drivers have also won five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, and Jimmie Johnson (4) and Tony Stewart (1) have collected five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver’s championships in the Impala.

“The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are confident the new racecar will allow us to remain the most successful name in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history,” Campbell said.

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