T-bird notes

NASCAR Fans Mail List

Ford officials have no comment on Friday's report in the Wall Street Journal that the company would cease production of the Thunderbird model after this year.

Sources told ESPN that Ford is working on a prototype that would replace the T-bird on the NASCAR circuit.

The source says that the Penske South Team has been working on the prototype for the past year. It's a variation on the Ford Taurus and could be developed in time for a limited production run the middle of next year.

Penske team members would not comment on the prototype, but they did say it's time for a change.

"It's run its course," says Robin Pemberton. "You really need to change cars about every four or five years to stay competitive without having to lobby for rule changes all the time."

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