DETROIT, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Executives for Pontiac announced Tuesday it will not compete in next year's NASCAR Nextel Cup as GM will focus its support on the more dominant Chevrolet.
Since the return of Dodge to the Winston Cup series last year, the Pontiac Grand Prix has declined in competition, even though it won two of the last three drivers championships.
Tony Stewart in 2002 and Bobby Labonte in 2000 captured titles in Pontiacs owned by Joe Gibbs Racing, who this year changed to Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Chevrolet has won 23 of the last 31 Winston Cup manufacturers' championships. It already has clinched this year's title.
The only Pontiac winner this season was Ricky Craven, who edged Kurt Busch by .002 seconds at Darlington in March.
Despite the power of Chevrolet, which has 17 victories this year, Ford Taurus driver Matt Kenseth is on course to win the series title.
