NASCAR pleased after GM pulls out of bankruptcy

JOLIET, Ill. -- The swift exit of General Motors from bankruptcy protection was good news for NASCAR's industry leaders, who count on the automaker's financial support to fund their pricey race teams.

GM emerged Friday after only 40 days under court protection. The sport's heavyweights like Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all drive Chevrolets. It's also NASCAR's most Successful manufacturer, with 32 championships in the Sprint Cup Series.cnnad_createAd("614534","http://ads.nascar.com/...yes&params.styles=fs","250","193");

Hendrick Motorsports standout Jimmie Johnson has won the last three Cup championships in Chevrolets, and team owner Rick Hendrick has long expressed his support of GM, even as the automaker sunk into bankruptcy.

Hendrick vice president of development Doug Duchardt said Friday that Hendrick Motorsports never wavered in its support.

"We've raced Chevys for 25 years," Duchardt said at Chicagoland Speedway. "This is just one situation. We've worked through it and we'll move on down the road."