Category Archives: Chevrolet

McMurray wins Daytona 500 despite multiple delays

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

After numerous delays and cautions, NASCAR veteran Jamie McMurray finally took home the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, more than six hours after the season-opening race began.

NASCAR officials were left blushing after their hallmark race due to their failure to properly fix a pothole that developed during the competition. Attempts to mend the break in the concrete took a total of 2 hours and 23 minutes – “equivalent to the NFL halting the Super Bowl in the fourth quarter because a goalpost collapsed and taking two hours to right it,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

“We’re the world center of racing,” said Robin Braig, the Daytona track president. “This is the Daytona 500. This is not supposed to happen, and I take full responsibility.”

The unfortunate racetrack conditions overshadowed a thrilling 45-lap finish that featured five drivers swapping the lead nine different times. Race champion McMurray only led the final two laps, a record low for a Daytona 500 winner, according to Auto Week. A total of 21 competitors led the race at some point, also a record.

NASCAR’s slumping superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr finished second to McMurray after successfully passing several cars down the stretch.

Danica Patrick crashes in her NASCAR debut

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

Indycar superstar Danica Patrick had a rough start to her NASCAR career on Saturday, finishing 35th out of 43 drivers after being caught up in a 12-car wreck at the 4COPD 300 Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Patrick, who started the race in 15th position in her number 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, had a difficult time adjusting to the bumper-to-bumper racing that sets NASCAR apart from open-wheel competition.

After Patrick dropped to 33rd place after a mere 40 laps, her crew chief, Tony Eury Jr, got on the radio to try to talk the media darling into driving more aggressively so that she could stay in the draft with the other cars, the Village Daily Sun reports. Just a few minutes later, Patrick stalled out while trying to leave the pits, dropping her even farther back.

On lap 69, several competitors in front of Patrick became involved in a large wreck, forcing her high up into the wall, ending her day.

“This is a lot more difficult racing,” she said following the wreck. “It’s never fun to crash up a perfectly good race car when it’s not your fault.”

NASCAR veteran Tony Stewart won his fifth Nationwide Series race in six years at Daytona International Speedway.

Martin and Earnhardt Jr snag the pole positions at Daytona

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

On Saturday, NASCAR veterans Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr posted the two fastest qualifying times for this weekend’s Daytona 500, guaranteeing them both front row starting spots in the 43-car field.

Martin, who is the oldest driver to win the pole at Daytona, was the only competitor to turn in a lap topping 191 miles per hour. His number 5 Chevrolet will start alongside the 88 Chevy of Earnhardt Jr, who had a disastrous 2009 when he did not win a race. He finished 25th in the points race and failed to qualify for the season-ending championship playoff, according to the LA Times.

“Hopefully we can get the ball rolling,” said the 2004 Daytona 500 champion after his qualifying run.

Martin and Earnhardt Jr are the only drivers to have solidified their starting positions in Sunday’s race. Although the top 35 drivers from last season’s points race are guaranteed positions, their starting spots will not be decided until Thursday’s 150-mile qualifying races, the Mercury News reports.

The final eight spots in the field will also be handed out on Thursday.

Danica Patrick to promote COPD awareness

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick, who will drive the number 7 Chevrolet in a limited NASCAR schedule in 2010, has recently joined on as a spokesperson for DRIVE4COPD, a public health initiative aimed at alerting million of Americans about the need for early detection of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Patrick was drawn to the cause due to the close relationship that she had with her grandmother, who passed away in her mid 60’s after suffering from emphysema, one of the two forms of COPD, according to USA Today.

“Being a popular person followed by a lot of fans gives me a platform I can use for good things,” said Patrick, while participating in a photo shoot for the organization with fellow celebs Jim Belushi, Bruce Jenner, Patty Loveless and Michael Strahan. “I want to use my celebrity to make a difference.”

Meanwhile, NASCAR has also decided to partner with DRIVE4COPD, which will be the title sponsor for the season-opening Nationwide Series race at Daytona Motor Speedway.

COPD currently affects approximately 24 million people, half of whom are undiagnosed, says Steve Phelps, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for NASCAR.

Chevy Cobalt made a strong debut in 2005

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Posted in Chevrolet

People in the market for a used car in New Jersey may want to take a look at the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, the long-awaited replacement for the decade-old Cavalier.

The creation of the Cobalt was an effort by Chevrolet to target higher-end clientele in the compact sedan sector. Its inaugural model has a more powerful engine, improved styling and is made with more quality materials than the Cavalier, according to Inside Line.

A loaded ’05 LT sedan comes with leather seats, XM radio, a moonroof and a rear spoiler. The Cobalt has a 145-horsepower engine, making it one of the most powerful vehicles in its class.

Inside Line’s Senior Content Editor Erin Riches noted that the Cobalt has “good midrange torque from the 2.2-liter engine and quick downshifts from the four-speed automatic transmission give it excellent passing capability.”

The 2005 Cobalt is a remarkably fuel efficient vehicle, AutoMedia.com reports. It has an estimated fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 46 mpg on the highway. In 2005, it had a starting base price of $14,190.

Danica Patrick set to qualify for upcoming NASCAR race

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

Owners of used Chevrolet models in New Jersey may soon get an opportunity to see Danica Patrick in NASCAR following J.R. Motorsports’ recent announcement that the Indycar racing star will attempt to qualify for a Nationwide Series race at the Auto Club Speedway on February 20.

Patrick will drive the number 7 Chevrolet in a limited NASCAR schedule in 2010 while being a full participant in the Indy Car Series. She plans on racing in approximately 13 Nationwide events in the coming season.

“It’s such a great opportunity for me, especially coming into this NASCAR arena,” said Patrick. “I think we’re going to be really competitive and run well.”

It is still unclear if Patrick will run in the Nationwide Series opening race at Daytona International Speedway on February 13.

Meanwhile, other NASCAR drivers look forward to Patrick bringing a new collection of race fans to the track.

“I think we all know it’s gonna be great for our sport as far as recognition and awareness and bringing some popularity over, and bringing some of her fans,” said fellow driver Greg Biffle. “It’ll be our first female driver in a while, so that will be good for us.”

Chevy Camaro designer quits, set to work for Volkswagen in 2010

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Posted in Chevrolet

Sangyou Lee, the designer of the highly celebrated Chevy Camaro, has announced that he has resigned his position with General Motors to take a role with Volkswagen/Audi as their chief designer of exterior, which may increase the visibility of used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Lee, who worked for GM for over a decade, is credited with bringing the Chevy Camaro back to national prominence after he redesigned the muscle car in 2005, according to CarDesignNews.com.

The Korean-born designer’s concept debuted so successfully at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show GM decided to begin production immediately.

“The [2006] muscular Camaro concept is pure ’69 updated, with the kind of subtle detailing that makes it look up-to-the-minute,” said AutomobileMag.com after the car’s original showing. “The interior is very glitzy, and pays homage to the original, even down to the GM seat belt insignia and the twin instrument pods.”

Chevy’s ’06 Camaro is a “retro-styled” two-door coupe with a 6.0 liter, 400 horsepower V-8 engine powered through a six-speed manual transmission. The show model contains Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation equipment, a fuel-saving technology that results in a highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better, according to RSportsCars.com.

Before he unveiled the 2006 Camaro, Lee worked on a joint project between Bertone and GM in which he created the 2004 Buick Velite concept. He also contributed to the exterior design of the 50th anniversary Stingray.

Lee is expected to begin working for VW in mid-2010 in their California design facility. He is one of several designers to move on from the major U.S. automakers in the last 12 months. Pat Schiavone, Ford Motor Company’s chief truck designer, announced last week that he will be resigning from the company in early 2010 to join the appliance manufacturer Whirlpool.

The departure of Chevy’s award-winning exterior designer may increase the popularity in used Chevy models in New Jersey.

GM’s search for a new CEO continues

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet

All used Chevrolet models in New Jersey were produced by General Motors, whose chairman Ed Whitacre said on Tuesday that he doesn’t plan on being the interim CEO for long, although there is no timetable to replace him.

Whitacre, who took over for Fritz Henderson after he was forced to resign two weeks ago, said that the search for the next long-term CEO has yet to turn-up any qualified candidates.

Whitacre told reporters that he is not necessarily looking for someone with auto industry experience or even someone who has previously been a CEO.

“A person that’s a motivating, inspirational leader that’s familiar with big companies – manufacturing or industrial – would be helpful,” he told reporters.

The search is complicated by the executive pay limits imposed by the U.S. government on companies that were bailed out by Congress.

“I think it would be somebody who [wants] to do this for more than compensation,” Whitacre said. “It’s a big deal. It’s about coming back and making a company great and making it public again.”

Meanwhile, Whitacre confirmed on Tuesday that if General Motors doesn’t sell Saab by December 31, it will close the brand for good, the Associated Press reports.

The possibility of new management at General Motors could be a good sign for car enthusiasts that are in the market for used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Danica Patrick set to drive a Chevrolet in NASCAR next year

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

On Tuesday, IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick confirmed that she will drive the number 7 Chevy in a limited NASCAR schedule in 2010, which could boost sales of used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Patrick has inked a two-year deal with JR Motorsports, a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr and Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, one of NASCAR’s most successful teams.

The media darling will continue to run a full IndyCar schedule, but plans to race her GoDaddy.com Chevy in about a dozen Nationwide Series events, according to ESPN.com.

Even with Patrick’s well-known competitive fire, not everyone believes that she can handle the transition from open-wheel racing to stock cars.

“I think she’s got the talent and everything but I don’t think she knows what she’s getting into,” said Juan Pablo Montoya, who left the IndyCar circuit three years ago to begin a career in NASCAR.

“They’re so different to drive,” said Montoya, explaining the difference between a stock car and an Indy car, quoted by the news source. “It’s not the same feeling.”

The Danica Patrick signing should come as good news for those in the market for used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

GM CEO resigns; Used Chevrolets in New Jersey Could Benefit

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Posted in Chevrolet

All used Chevrolets in New Jersey and elsewhere were produced by General Motors, whose CEO recently resigned.

On December 1, GM chief executive Fritz Henderson left his post, reports the New York Times. He has been temporarily replaced by the company’s chairman, Edward Whitacre, Jr.

“We all agreed that some changes needed to be made going forward,” said Whitacre, according to The Times.

Henderson’s departure meant he wouldn’t be able to deliver his speech at the Los Angeles auto show on December 2 as expected, says the news source. Robert Lutz, GM’s vice chairman, was asked to take his place.

“As you know, I’m kind of a last-minute substitute,” Lutz told the show’s attendees, one of whom was the newspaper’s auto blogger Jerry Garrett. “You may have read something about it. Like GM has been doing very little to fill the newspapers lately,” he continued sarcastically.

Henderson was GM’s CEO for less than a year, according to MSNBC. Ideally, restructuring the automaker’s management will have a beneficial effect on used Chevrolets in New Jersey and the company’s other subsidiaries.