First Toyota, now VW? The Associated Press first reported the rumor that has spread throughout the internet at lightning speed: the head of Volkswagen’s motorsports, Hans-Joachim Stuck, met with NASCAR officials to discuss the possibility of the German automaker entering into the NASCAR series.
Could it be that the company which in past years has bragged how much more likely their customers are to attend operas and other cultured events is considering a move to NASCAR? Will VW racing fans chug beer next to Chevy and Dodge followers? Will Jettas clog a NASCAR raceway in the near future?
Don’t hold your breath. While it is a fact Stuck met with NASCAR officials, he vehemently denies anything was discussed about Volkswagen entering NASCAR. "I can tell you very honestly that's not going to happen," FoxSports quotes Stuck as saying. Apparently the get together was all about Stuck’s admiration for NASCAR and other possible business.
"I'm here number one because I'm a great NASCAR fan and I'm here on holiday," Stuck informed Autosport.com. Apparently Stuck keeps up on NASCAR, going so far as to call it “the best racing.”
Apparently the whole meeting was more about another business proposition: getting Audi and Lamborghini engines into Grand-Am Road Racing. Grand-Am is owned by NASCAR, which would explain why the meeting was with NASCAR officials.
Speculation over VW’s entry into NASCAR was fueled by NASCAR expressing interest in having other manufacturers join in the series. To be eligible for NASCAR, though, an auto company must have at least one factory operating in the United States. Volkswagen plans to open their first U.S. production facility in 2011, located in Tennessee.
For now, the only Jettas speeding around in the circles will be those looking for parking spots at the local malls.
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