DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Friday at Daytona International Speedway, the Chevrolet team owners gathered in the media center to discuss the upcoming season.
They were joined by Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports.
It’s been a busy Speedweeks for the manufacturer, as Chevrolet captured its sixth consecutive Daytona 500 pole, and Chase Elliott took the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to Victory Lane for the first time with a win in the Duels.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick couldn’t help but notice how nice the Chevy Camaro ZL1 looked in Victory Lane.
“It's such a good-looking car,” he said. “Chevrolet did more work on this car than any car they've ever brought into this series. But this is such an iconic car.”
He reiterated how impressive it is that the Camaro ZL1 on the racetrack is identical to the one that can be bought at a dealership.
“It's an amazing car, iconic nameplate with Chevrolet,” Hendrick said. “As a dealer, I am more than excited to be able to have this car on the showroom floor and to race it on Sunday.”
Campbell noted what a collaborative process the development of the new model for the Cup Series was, and how important it is to the manufacturer to provide the very best to all its teams.
“This is a big deal,” he said. “We're in a performance sport. Thirty-nine manufacturer’s championships, over 30 driver’s championships. Last year was one year – we’re now onto '18. Our goal is to win the manufacturer’s championship and work with the drivers to give them the best chance to win races, make the playoff, drive to a championship.
“Those are our objectives every single year.”
It all starts with Sunday’s Daytona 500, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SIriusXM NASCAR Radio.