The news that German auto giant Daimler-Benz plans to merge with Chrysler has the racing world in a tizzy about whether Mercedes’ new marketing plans might include more auto-racing exposure. One thing about Mercedes — the company doesn’t aim low. And Wallace and Mayfield, Roger Penske’s two NASCAR drivers, have been atop the Winston Cup standings most of the season. And Penske already has strong business ties with Mercedes. General Motors and Ford have been expecting their next NASCAR challenge to come from overseas, but they’ve have been looking at the wrong horizon, to the west, rather than the east. Honda and Toyota have long been on the minds of NASCAR men, given both companies’ long and extensive involvement in other forms of racing. Now NASCAR men are musing over the Chrysler-Daimler venture with more than idle curiosity, because Mercedes’ already strong racing programs could lead it to expand the new company’s marketing operations into Winston Cup racing. See the rest of Mike Mulhern’s story at The JournalNow – Mercedes Bends: German automobile giant could send Chrysler back to NASCAR.(5-13-98) (05-13-1998)
