Dodge says they’re staying…at least through 2009

DaimlerChrysler’s decision to sell majority ownership in Chrysler to the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management is not expected to affect Dodge Motorsports’ participation in the Nextel Cup series.

In anticipation of the sell, Mike Accavitti, the director of Dodge Motorsports and Tom LaSorda, the chairman of DaimlerChrysler, visited with Dodge owners Ray Evernham, Chip Ganassi and Roger Penske at Bristol to reassure them of the company’s commitment. All the Dodge teams are locked up contractually through at least 2009.

“We talked to everybody today,'’ Accavitti said. “The message is pretty consistent. We don’t intend on going anywhere.'’