November 25, 2002

Which car make has won the most races since 1949?

YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S FORD!

Winston Cup analysts are all a flutter with opinions that suggest Ford will be at a disadvantage in 2003. The word on the street is that Ford has lost teams that went to Dodge and, the 2003 body location rule will affect the Ford Taurus in a negative way.

Let's look at this in a manner that suggests a voice of reason.

The 2003 body location rule in which this reporter did a lengthy article about will bring change to all Winston Cup teams. Try to think about what car the new common templates will most mimic. The Ford Taurus led the way in aero improvement numbers and displays superior balance as compared to other makes on the Winston Cup circuit.

The Taurus is shaped like a bubble as compared to a shovel as the Monte Carlo has been described. Dale Earnhardt, Seven Time Winston Cup champion stated (2000) that the Monte Carlo wouldn't hunt. Dale was the only one that could say that because he was "The Man" (still is in my book)

The Ford Taurus was so good that when it made the scene in Winston Cup, NASCAR the sanctioning body hacked and cut on it to make it somewhat equal with the Monte Carlo. So the bottom line on the 2003 body location rule is that the Taurus can't be in that much trouble if NASCAR is trying to make all the other cars look like a Ford in a dress with the common templates.

Dodge is conspiring heavily in stacking the deck for 2003 with additional teams. Chrysler needs to justify those millions poured into the Intrepid R/T program with a manufactures title. Dodge will gain the Penske South teams which in my opinion are no big loss to Ford with Rusty not winning a single race (don't send mail you know I'm right) in 2002. Ryan Newman, Ford will miss but I don't see Ryan being able to pull off the success level that he had with Ford in 2002. The Dodge engine will be the deciding factor in Ryan's strength in 2003.

Now looking at Ford we can clearly see that the manufacturer has lost two teams. There is a shining star on the horizon with Greg Biffle coming to the Winston Cup series in 2003. Greg has been a Ford guy even back when this reporter watched him race in Portland.

There appeared a musical chairs game played with Ricky Rudd. Rudd as we know will remain in a Ford and, the good part to that deal is that Ford Motor Company is tossing a few bucks to the Woods in an effort to strengthen that team. Elliott Sadler is the weak point to the Ford gang this year. Don't bother to send the hate mail in because you know I am right.

Now to the GM camp.

Believe me folks this smoke and mirrors body change for the Monte Carlo was a waste of time and money. The problems with the Monte Carlo go deep into its design and, the factory will not retool into another design until 2005. NASCAR has done everything but place a snow plow attachment on the left front fender of the Monte Carlo in an effort to make the car turn in the wind.

The GM camp which holds the most teams in 2003 will have its work cut out for it. I personally don't want to hear one word from RCR or DEI and HMS about how they need adjustments to this body in which all the above were heavily involved with the planning of the face lift for 2003.

The Tin Indian also a part of the GM camp claims to have made improvements. Pontiac is hanging by threads in the Winston Cup series now that Joe Gibbs fell in lust with the Monte Carlo. I figured that Joe would have added an additional team at this point but then again what do I know.

To boil this deal down folks I see another strong season in store for the Blue Oval. Jack Roush after 15 seasons in the series is completely on fire. I don't see a lot of change in his approach for 2003. I look for Ford to prove to Dodge that volume is not quality. I look for GM to come on strong at the start of the season but in the end Ford will take the manufactures title again in 2003.

To better understand the point of view for this article have a look at some follow up reading.

2003 Monte Carlo Review

2003 Body Location Rule

2003 Dodge Engine

I am by no means a so called Ford (not what your girlfriend says Bump) lover. I will say that if Ford Motor Company wishes to give me a new truck for being so kind that would be way cool. I do believe that the Monte Carlo SS is the cleanest looking hot rod straight from the factory. The Ford Taurus looks like something granny would drive and usually does. Well there goes the new truck I guess, Oh well, doesn't matter because I drive a '75 Vette anyway.

You can contact Joe at: Insider Racing News