Chevrolet farewells the Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo is arguably the most successful car in the history of the Nextel Cup, taking 396 wins since its debut in 1971. The car has also contributed to 24 of the 31 Manufacturers' championships won by Chevrolet, and to 16 of their 23 drivers' titles.

"When the chequer flag falls at Homestead, Chevrolet teams and drivers will say goodbye to the Monte Carlo SS in NASCAR Cup competition," said Ed Peper, general manager of Chevrolet.

"We at Chevrolet will watch with pride as the Monte Carlo takes its last NASCAR Cup chequered flag at Homestead with our sincere thanks to the teams, drivers and most importantly the fans who have supported Monte Carlo throughout the years."

Jeff Gordon has been the most successful driver at the wheel of the Monte Carlo SS over the years, scoring most of his 81 victories at the wheel of the legendary model, as well as his four Nextel Cup titles. He also drove the Lumina model to victory in a number of races.

"My favourite racing memory of the Monte Carlo was its reintroduction into the Cup Series back in 1995," said Gordon. "The car was so dominant that year, and we were able to win our first championship with it, as well."

The four-time Nextel Cup champion has been one of the biggest detractors of changing to the Car of Tomorrow since it was first introduced but even some of the younger drivers like Kyle Busch still feel sad to see the Monte Carlo go and being replaced with new model.

"Yeah, it was a good race car," Busch said about the Monte Carlo. "It's what we've raced for the past twentysome years. Now we'll go to the new one, which nobody is really a big fan of. It's kind of discouraging, I guess."

While the Monte Carlo will still be raced in the Nationwide Series in 2008, the Impala SS will become the sole Chevrolet model raced in the Sprint Cup Series next year.