NASCAR: Dodge return possible, Marchionne says

Dodge has been out of NASCAR since 2012, but a return of the third portion of Detroit's Big Three to stock car racing's top league could be on the cards in the not-too-distant future, according to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Marchionne was asked about the possibility during the Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Daytona International Speedway, where he was on hand representing Ferrari's parent company. After starting out with an easy throwaway line that he'd love to see it happen, the Italian threw a little gasoline on the fire by saying that he'd spoken with NASCAR Executive Vice President Jim France on the subject.

According to multiple published reports, Marchionne (pictured) said, "Yes, I'd love to," when asked if he'd like to have Dodge back in NASCAR. "I talked to Jim France just last night. I'm the one who pulled Dodge out, so I'm the guilty party at the table.

The Italian noted that the decision to leave the sport had been more one of economic necessity than choice: "For those of you with short memories, in 2009 we came out of bankruptcy, so to race in NASCAR when I was trying to pay bills and pay payroll would have been a bit of a stretch," Marchionne said. "I think we're in a different place now.

"I think, if possible, we'll come back to NASCAR – I think we need to find the right way to come back in," he added. "I've agreed with both Jim and Lesa (France-Kennedy, International Speedway Corporation CEO) to come back to the issue in short order."