NASCAR finalizing Nationwide COT plans

LOUDON, N.H. (Sporting News) – Anticipated in mid-June, the rulebook for the Nationwide Series’ version of the Car of Tomorrow is still under review, pending final details.

And NASCAR won’t decide on the specifics of a rollout of the new car until the rules are set and the sanctioning body meets with owners, Nationwide Series director Joe Balash said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“We’ve got a couple of last things that we’ve got to finish up on,” Balash said. “As soon as we do that, we’ll be able to get ready with the teams. It’s just a few minor items. We want to make sure that we have everything set and ready to go before we hand that book to the teams and say, ‘Here’s what we’ve got.’”

With the economy worsening late last year, NASCAR opted to delay the introduction of the new car, originally planned for August 2010, until 2011. Sources have told Sporting News that the most likely scenario involves a partial rollout next year at superspeedways (Daytona and Talladega) and road courses (Watkins Glen and Montreal).

Like the rulebook, however, Balash said the introduction of the Nationwide car (which differs from its Sprint Cup counterpart in such features as a spoiler instead of a wing and traditional spring front suspension instead of bumps stops) hasn’t been set in stone.

“We’re going to talk to (owners) about a couple of different options, and we just want to make sure we get that feedback from them before we announce the implementation,” Balash said.

Ford and Dodge have opted to run versions of their muscle cars - Mustang and Challenger, respectively - as their Nationwide entries with the new car. Chevrolet reportedly has resisted NASCAR’s urging to run its Camaro and instead will field the Impala SS, the same brand it runs in the Cup series. Similarly, Toyota will run a Nationwide version of its Cup car, the Camry.

“You’d have to ask Chevrolet what the reasons are behind their models that they choose,” Balash said. “We talk to all the manufacturers about the types of vehicles that they’re running in the series, and Chevrolet ultimately has the decision about what they’re going to run as part of their brand marketing.”

Representatives from Chevrolet were not available to respond to questions about the choice of models to be used in the Nationwide Series.

OWNER SAYS JTG/DAUGHERTY ISN’T SHOPPING

Given his prowess on road courses and his growing success in stock car racing, Marcos Ambrose is a hot commodity in the Cup garage, but team owner Tad Geschickter categorically denied that the organization is shopping for a new arrangement for the popular Australian driver.

Ambrose’s No. 47 JTG/Daugherty Toyota team currently operates out of Michael Waltrip Racing. Geschickter said Saturday at NHMS that the arrangement with Waltrip is a one-year deal with an option but emphasized that he isn’t looking to move his operation.

Rumors had linked JTG/Daugherty with both a possible fourth car at Joe Gibbs Racing or a third car at Stewart-Haas Racing.

“We’re not shopping,” Geschickter said.

About reports that sponsor Little Debbie Snacks recently had increased its financial commitment to the team, Geschickter said, “I’m not allowed to talk about the terms of the contract, but they’re very happy with our program.”

Ambrose drove from the rear of the field to finish third last week at Infineon Raceway and is 18th in the Cup standings.

SORENSON OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SUNDAY’S RACE

From Reed Sorenson’s standpoint, the worst thing about Friday’s qualifying rainout is the 27th-place starting position he inherited on the basis of owner points.

When the field takes the green flag in Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 301, however, Sorenson’s No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge may have something for the cars near the front of the field. Sorenson was fastest in Saturday’s first practice session and fourth quickest in Happy Hour.

“It was good,” Sorenson admitted. “I still think we’re a little off to catch the leaders, (but) we’ve got a nice top-10 car right now.”

Thanks to Kasey Kahne’s performance last week at Infineon, a Richard Petty-owned car visited victory lane for the first time in 10 years.

Could that be the start of a streak?