Experts always say that history has a way of repeating itself. While we’re not all history buffs, we might just have to agree with them. When Dodge reentered the NASCAR circuit in 2001 campaigning an Intrepid, Mopar enthusiasts and stock car racing fans alike hoped they were here to stay. Rightfully so, because at that time Dodge fans were without their beloved marque on the banked ovals for twenty-four years.

The new Dodge NASCAR entry: arriving so it can leave again.

Eventually the Intrepid would be replaced with the Charger, and even the Challenger would be called upon for a brief time. But apparently you can’t have too much of a good thing, and now according to the Detroit News, Dodge won’t be returning for the 2013 season.

Chrysler Group LLC CEO Ralph Gilles cites that it has nothing to do with money, rather it’s more about being competitive at the level they wanted to compete at.

It also doesn’t help that Penske Racing, the premier team that has been racing Dodges all along, has announced back in March that it would switch to the Ford Fusion for the 2013 season. Gilles and his staff have been trying to find a replacement team to field their Challenger, but came up empty handed despite their best efforts.

NASCAR is saddened that they will be losing Dodge once again from the field of forty-three, but there’s nothing they can do.

We’re more concerned about the millions of Dodge fans out there who root for the brand. Where will the go after this year? Chevy? Ford? Toyota?? Doubtful. Many of them will continue to watch, but some might just fall off and pursue other interests. You know what they say about die-hard Mopar fans.