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[align=center][/align]Team Chevy Poised for Return of Impala SS to NASCAR [align=center]Rocket Science and Years of Safety Research Incorporated Into the Impala SS Bring Enthusiasm and Optimism for Race Car's Debut [/align][align=center][/align]
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[font=arial][size=2][align=center]DETROIT - After two years of conducting wind tunnel and track testing, developing scale models, submitting designs and collaborating with its teams, GM Racing is ready and optimistic for the Impala SS debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25. The race will mark the first of 16 Car of Tomorrow races in 2007 as well as the return of Chevrolet's Impala nameplate to NASCAR competition.[/align][align=center]"We feel comfortable with the position we are in due to the time, communication and resources that GM has invested to work closely with NASCAR on the rollout of the Impala SS," said Pat Suhy, GM Racing NASCAR group manager. "I think our integrated approach in working with NASCAR on its new-generation race car has been valuable in helping them meet their four key objectives and valuable for us, particularly in gaining increased manufacturer identity with the Impala SS."[/align][align=center]When NASCAR's Research & Development Center began moving forward with its seven-year program for the Car of Tomorrow, it set out to achieve four objectives. NASCAR's new-generation race car would include additional safety features, provide increased competition, reduce costs and incorporate more manufacturer identity.[/align][align=center]Since March of 2005 when initial manufacturer meetings began, GM Racing has worked hand-in-hand with NASCAR to help develop the Car of Tomorrow and to help achieve these objectives. Extensive wind tunnel and on-track testing done by GM allowed GM Racing engineers to assist with safety and aerodynamic changes to the race cars as well as provide recommendations on the new wing and splitter. GM also enlisted the help of its design studio which allowed for greater input on design cues, resulting in the Impala SS race car more closely resembling the Impala SS production vehicle. [/align][align=center][b]"Chevrolet stylists were actually in the wind tunnel with our racing team working with modeling clay to shape the front end of the Impala SS race car," said Suhy. "In working with NASCAR early on, we were able to jointly determine how much real estate we could use for manufacturer identity. I think those early efforts really paid off and it is evident in the additional manufac