Toyota Racing News
Updated: 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Toyota announces "Sponsafy Your Ride Contest" winner: Toyota Racing announced the grand prize winner in the "Sponsafy Your Ride Contest," the quest to take one fan's NASCAR Cup car masterpiece from online design to real sheet metal. "Praying for Karson," created by Fay Knape of Danbury, Texas, beat out more than 77,500 submissions. A Toyota Camry wrapped in the "Praying for Karson" artwork was featured in the parade lap before the green flag drops at the NASCAR Sprint All- Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Knape's design "Praying for Karson" honors her one-year-old grandson, Karson, who suffers from a rare interstitial lung disease known as Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia in Infancy (NEHI). Knape saw the contest as the perfect opportunity to raise NEHI awareness and potentially fund research. Knape's car design illustrates her vision for Karson's future. She hopes to see him playing outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature, without being restricted by the oxygen tank he wears 90% of the time. In addition to the grand prize package, Toyota has donated $5,000 to Karson's family to help offset the cost of his medical expenses. Knape received a prize package for the weekend's race festivities in Charlotte, including airfare, hotel accommodations, tickets to the official 2010 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Week events, hospitality suite access, a driver meet and greet with Denny Hamlin, exclusive Toyota racing apparel and spending cash. Knape is accompanied to the race by her husband, James; son, Patrick; daughter, Breah; and grandson and inspiration, Karson. On June 20, two-time Daytona 500 winner, Michael Waltrip will attempt to qualify the No. 55 "Praying for Karson" Toyota Camry for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Infineon Raceway. More than one million votes were cast in the contest. Nine of 10 crowd favorites chosen by popular vote qualified to compete for the grand prize. A panel of judges comprised of Toyota executives and NASCAR personalities Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip and Joe Gibbs then narrowed the field of nine finalists down to five. Along with "Praying for Karson," the panel selected four runners-up, including: First Runner-up: "Purple Heart" Second Runner-up: "Kaitlin's Wish Black" Third Runner-up: "Shayden's Race Car" Fourth Runner-up: "All-Star".(Toyoya PR)
Thursday, January 7, 2009
NASCAR Camry Hybrid on display at auto show: Toyota’s exhibit will feature interactive displays, including a cut-away view of the 2011 Toyota Sienna’s four-cylinder engine. Other display items include a Prius Solar Moonroof Display and a Telematics Kiosk. Motorsports fans will have a chance to view the NASCAR Camry Hybrid Pace Car, the first hybrid charged with pace car duties in the racing series. Toyota will showcase its lineup in four distinctive areas: all-new vehicles, such as the Sienna; small cars; large cars; and trucks and sport utility vehicles. (Detroit News)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
BAM Racing to return in Toyota: BAM Racing owner Beth Ann Morgenthau came on Race Talk Radio Monday night, announcing their No. 49 car will run full-time in 2010 under the Toyota Camry banner. With sponsorship from Warner Records, the team is expected to return to full-time competition, running all 36 races for the first time since the 2007 Cup Series season. Driver and crew chief announcements will come at a later date, but regardless the team will have its own show on RTR every Wednesday night next season.(RTR PR)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Toyota committed to NASCAR: Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development, said Toyota's departure from Formula One has no bearing on its NASCAR program, but he also said NASCAR should learn from F1's mistakes. "Leaving Formula One was not an easy decision to make," White said Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway. "Obviously, it affects a lot of people, and a lot of those people are friends of ours, so we feel for them. "But it should have no effect whatsoever on our NASCAR program, our NASCAR plans and our NASCAR future. We remain completely committed to NASCAR and NASCAR is completely committed to us." (ESPN.com)
Toyota not looking to additional teams: Toyota has contracts to supply parts and engineering support to eight Sprint Cup teams. White said the manufacturer isn't pursuing deals with more but didn't rule out adding to its stable. "That's a possibility," he said. "Any team that chose to run a Toyota product would be evaluated and then decisions would be made whether engineering support would be provided." White said Toyota has had discussions with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, which is mulling a switch from Chevrolet, "but we have discussions with a lot of people."(SceneDaily)
Tuesday, Novemeber 3, 2009
Is Earnhardt Ganassi looking at Toyota? So, what's the holdup in EGR's decision to remain with Chevy or move to Toyota? Perhaps it's the "E" in EGR. Can anyone really imagine the Earnhardt name associated with Toyota? Since Teresa Earnhardt is not at the racetrack on a weekly basis, that might be a tough answer to get. And with the current General Motors situation, Chevy is in no position to offer EGR a new and improved deal. Maybe Chip Ganassi believes delaying the decision will prevent the current engine builders from sabotaging the cars? But since Ganassi didn't want to answer the question of manufacturers on Sunday, what do we know? Richard Childress Racing's engine department - which supplies motors for EGR - was expecting a call on Friday from the Ganassi camp regarding their status for next season. It never came. Principals at EGR are expected to meet with Toyota again on Tuesday. EGR has had discussions with Joe Gibbs Racing about supplying engines for next season. Apparently Toyota Racing Development, which provides Michael Waltrip Racing and Red Bull Racing with engines, does not have the capacity at this time to be a supplier for EGR.(FOXSports.com)
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
Red Bull Racing extends partnership with Toyota: Red Bull Racing Team has extended its partnership with Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The agreement continues a three-year relationship where Toyota has supported Red Bull Racing Team's progression from a start-up organization to a berth in the championship- deciding Chase. "Our partnership with Toyota has been a critical element to the success of Red Bull Racing Team," said Jay Frye, RBRT vice president and general manager. "Both Red Bull Racing Team and Toyota share a common goal of being a championship-contending team. Toyota has supplied the engine and technical support we need to get our teams into victory lane and now the Chase for the Championship. We look forward to the future with Toyota." Toyota has been an integral part of the team's success as both an engine supplier and manufacturer. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Red Bull Racing Team a member of our 'freshman class' in 2007 when Toyota joined the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a manufacturer," said Lee White, president and general manager for Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A. We are extremely proud of the team's and Brian's accomplishments, including their first victory and qualifying for the Chase."(Team Red Bull Racing)
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009
Toyota Executive: NASCAR is providing results: Toyota's presence in NASCAR has had a little different purpose than other manufacturers in the sport. Sure, the company wants to sell vehicles. But before Toyota could get NASCAR fans to buy its vehicles, the manufacturer had to get NASCAR fans to consider buying its vehicles. That's where NASCAR came in - just to be in the mind of a potential car-buyer to look up a Toyota vehicle on the Web site or come into the dealership. To that end, NASCAR is producing results, said Bob Carter, a Toyota vice president who oversees Toyota Racing Development as the general manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA. "NASCAR continues to deliver what our goals were when we entered the sport," Carter said. "We've been involved in racing for 30 years. NASCAR has certainly positioned itself as the premier series within the U.S. "It has a huge fan base. In 2004, for many of the NASCAR fans, we weren't necessarily on the short list when it came to buying a car. In fact, compared to Chevy and Ford among the [NASCAR] people who were shopping, we were 20 points behind Chevy and Ford. In our third year of Sprint Cup, we're virtually identical with Ford and Chevy. [NASCAR] has delivered more benefits quicker than we had originally had hoped for," Carter said. "Our goal being at the race track is to be top of mind among all these race fans when they're considering their next car purchase. This was a push on a market that we saw an opportunity to expose the product."(SceneDaily)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Did you know? In June of 2008, Dave Blaney earned the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole position for Toyota at New Hampshire. The pole came in Toyota’s 17th NSCS race and was the second of Blaney’s career. Since that historic accomplishment, Camry drivers have earned 13 additional NSCS poles. Brian Vickers has earned five poles. Busch and David Reutimann each have three poles. Michael Waltrip and Hamlin also have one pole from behind the wheel of a Camry.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kahne in a Toyota this year? Speculation is increasing that Dodge driver Kasey Kahne, who runs for Richard Petty, could switch to a Toyota by the July 11th Sprint Cup race at Chicago. Petty has said that Chrysler has cut its payments to his four-car operation, and apparently Petty has only enough engine parts for one of the new Dodge NASCAR engines. Petty's business partner, George Gillett, tried last season to make a deal with Toyota. There is no immediate comment from Toyota officials.(mikemulhern.net)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Toyota is watching GM closely: One racing program leader said he would be surprised if the Cup landscape changes significantly anytime soon. Lee White's voice may be one of few rays of sunshine breaking through a thickening overcast sky on the NASCAR horizon. Still, many in the sport will be keeping an ear to any announcements coming out of GM during the next few weeks as the automaker continues its reorganization. "I'm kind of sitting here waiting like everyone else, but to be honest, I don't think there will be many changes (at the Cup level)," said White, president of Toyota Racing Development. "Frankly, I don't see much changing with the Detroit Three in regards to motorsports." I'm optimistic, because I need to be optimistic," White said. "I've been in this business 40 years. We need the competition. To keep our program healthy, we need those guys. "The car business, period, needs those guys."(Jackson Citizen Patriot)
Tuesdya, May 26, 2009
Toyota drivers finish well in Coca-Cola 600: Toyota drivers took four of the first six positions and led 219 of the 227 laps. (Gaston Gazette)
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Penske to Toyota? Roger Penske, who is one of the nation's biggest Toyota dealers, may move Kurt Busch's Dodge team, which just won at Atlanta, into the Toyota camp. A Penske-Toyota-NASCAR scenario has been bandied about for several years. There was no immediate comment from officials at Chrysler, but Toyota racing boss Lee White said "Unless RP has resorted to secretly stealing our parts, there is not chance he's running anything remotely resembling a Toyota in the foreseeable future. It's just another of many false rumors." However, when asked what the response might be if Penske or anyone else wanted to change to racing Toyotas, White said "We are open for customers. And our parts are competitively priced." (mikemulhern.net)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Toyota committed to motorsports: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC), which regards motor sports as an ideal medium for conveying the anticipation and excitement associated with automobiles, announces it plans to continue engaging in motor sports this year, despite being financially restricted by severe business conditions. TMC plans to focus on these top-class racing series: the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), Japanese Super GT, Formula Nippon and NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). TMC will also support young drivers expected to some day be competitive on the world stage. In the United States, TMC will again participate in NASCAR's pinnacle Sprint Cup Series with the Toyota Camry, which totaled 10 wins last year. TMC is also aiming to win the Nationwide Series, NASCAR's second most-popular series, also with the Camry. And TMC will continue to race the Toyota Tundra in the Camping World Truck Series (formerly the Craftsman Truck Series), after having won both the manufacturer's and driver's titles last year. In addition to directly participating in racing, TMC is also committed to continuing its support for a wide range of events and race categories starting from the grassroots level to promote motor sports in general. (Toyota PR)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Toyota back to old oil pump: Toyota Racing Development has reverted to the oil pump used on last year’s engine and will continue the modifications used in last Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Las Vegas when its teams compete this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Michael Waltrip Racing, Red Bull Racing and Robby Gordon Motorsports use TRD engines. In the last two weeks, TRD has had to replace six engines during the race weekend – two at Auto Club Speedway in southern California and four at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The problem was a lifter or camshaft issue. TRD President Lee White said in a phone interview Wednesday that he believes the problems occur when there is no oil pressure as drivers are entering and exiting the garages during practice. White said the oil pump used last year is better for those situations. “Last year’s oil pump had better capacity at very low RPM,” White said. “We are able to deal with other means to deal with the high-end flow to match that to the requirement of the engine. That was something sitting on the shelf that we know worked.” (SceneDaily.com)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Toyota: Engine problems had different causes: The president of Toyota Racing Development says the engine failures incurred by the three Roush Fenway Racing teams during Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway were unrelated to the problems five Toyota teams experienced on Saturday. "Not in any way related,'' Lee White said on Monday. "We're going to take 100 percent responsibility for maybe not having all of our ducks in a row with durability testing when we got to the racetrack to be ready for the decisions the teams put the engines through to get ready for qualifying.'' Four teams supplied engines by TRD -- David Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose of Michael Waltrip Racing and Brian Vickers and Scott Speed of Red Bull Racing -- had to switch engines and start at the rear of the field. (ESPN.com)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Toyota to cutback motorsports budget: The president of Toyota Racing Development said Wednesday he expects budget cuts in its NASCAR program as the Japanese automaker feels the effects of the global economic crisis. Typically immune from the declining sales that have rocked Detroit's Big Three automakers, Toyota recently said it anticipates its first yearly operating loss in 70 years for the fiscal year ending March 2009. The losses will have a ripple effect on Toyota's racing program, TRD president Lee White predicted. "There is probably not anything on this earth here that Toyota is involved with now that is not under some level of review regarding budget expenditure," White said in a national conference call. "That includes everything that we do, everything that TRD does and everything we do around motorsports. There is a review of everything. Certainly if contracts have expired, it's very likely that contracts have not been renewed, or if they are being renewed, they are certainly being renegotiated." (ESPN.com)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
RGM to join Toyota: Robby Gordon Motorsports announced that they will partner with Toyota beginning in the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season for the #7, which is guaranteed a spot in the season opener Daytona 500. “We are excited to be partnering with Toyota in NASCAR in 2009. After watching their progress last season, we decided that a switch to Toyota was the right package for our team,” commented Robby Gordon, owner of Robby Gordon Motorsports. “We are confident that fielding a Toyota Camry will add to the success of our organization and the competitiveness of our performance on the race track.” “I’ve known Robby as a driver, team owner and fierce competitor since 1990,” said Lee White, President of TRD, U.S.A. “We’ve raced together in Off-Road, IMSA, SCCA and Indy Car and have shared many memorable challenges and victories. It will be exciting to see how the association between Robby, his team, Toyota and TRD will develop in 2009. I promise you that it will not be boring to watch.” Toyota's first involvement with Robby Gordon dates back to 1989 when he became the youngest grand national sport truck driver to win a championship in a TRD-powered Toyota truck.(RGM PR)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Toyota reviewing its motorsports budget: At Toyota -- where Kyle Busch is running rings around his NASCAR Sprint Cup rivals -- its national motorsports manager said his company is "currently reviewing plans we had in place for the entire 2008 season." "Everybody's budgets are being reviewed," Les Unger said. "At track, on-site expos... we're looking at it all. We stand firm, however, in honoring all agreements. Relative to other sports, NASCAR is still the place to be, but with the increase in gas prices, the drop in the housing market and layoffs, we all have to take a very close look at our budgets." (Detroit Free Press)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Lee White named GM of Toyota Racing Development: Toyota announced today that effective July 1, Lee White will become president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) and that motorsports activities at Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will be consolidated under Ed Laukes, TMS corporate manager of motorsports marketing. White and Laukes will replace Jim Aust, who previously announced his plans to retire on June 30, from his position as vice president of motorsports at TMS and president at TRD. “As the Toyota racing program continues to grow and we enhance our motorsports marketing activities, these changes will allow Lee and Ed to focus on their key areas of responsibility, both on and off the track,” said Dave Illingworth, TMS senior vice president, chief planning and administrative officer. White, who will report to Illingworth, will be responsible for all TRD activities in the U.S., including engine development, manufacturing, chassis design/development, team/manufacturer relationships, manufacturer/sanctioning body relations and engineering support for Toyota teams participating in NASCAR, USAC, NHRA, Grand-Am and Off-Road competition.(Toyota PR)
June 25, 2007
Gibbs Denies Toyota Speculation: Gibbs denied published reports saying Joe Gibbs Racing has not agreed to a deal to align with manufacturer Toyota and leave Chevrolet after this season. ''That's not true,'' Gibbs said. ``That's speculation.'' He said Gibbs will hold discussions with Chevy officials in a few weeks, and that he didn't believe any Chevy-backed team had reached agreements for next season. (Miami Herald)
June 23, 2007
Gibbs Racing in talks with Toyota? Joe Gibbs and Toyota are “a done deal” for 2008, according to several sources, though team executives said otherwise. Apparently one hangup in the talks between the long-time Chevy operation (which features Tony Stewart) and the Japanese car maker is a clause in Gibbs’ current GM contract which bars the team from negotiating with any other manufacturer until the contract is up. So sources said Gibbs has had to go through an agent in the talks. Gibbs has a major negotiating session scheduled with General Motors in the next two weeks, which should provide the ‘yea,’ or ‘nay’ on that side of the issue. (Salem Journal)
June 18, 2007
Toyota Official: Toyota committed to MWR: Toyota has no intention of abandoning Michael Waltrip 's struggling three-car team, according to Lee White , senior vice president and general manager for Toyota Racing Development. (Detroit News)
Gibbs in discuss with Toyota? Having lost the Dale Earnhardt Jr. sweepstakes, Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs says his team is focused on its current lineup of drivers. JGR has been with General Motors for 16 years. "We wanted to wait and see what happened with the Junior deal," Gibbs said Sunday prior to the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway. "And then we're going to sit down and evaluate. We've been a partner with them for 16 years. We're going to look at it and evaluate and make sure we're on the same page. "Obviously, is Toyota out there as a possibility? I think they have probably talked to a number of different groups... We just want to make sure, as the sport changes, how do we stay where we need to be at JGR to stay ahead of the curve? And a big part is manufacturer." Toyota Senior Vice President Lee White would not comment on the company's business dealings. (Scene Daily)
June 15, 2007
Gibbs expected to make a Toyota leap? Savannah Morning News reports, Although Joe Gibbs Racing is talking with Chevrolet about an extension, the team is expected to make a jump to Toyota in the next couple years.
July 17, 2006
Toyota near approval, Dodge to Wind tunnel: John Darby, Nextel Cup series director, says officials are in the final stage of approving the Toyota Camry for next season. Also, Dodge submitted a car for next season with a new hood and rear. Darby said the car is scheduled to be taken to a wind tunnel Tuesday. (Roanoke.com)
June 25, 2006
Vickers to Toyota, to drive #83 Red Bull car: Brian Vickers will drive for Team Red Bull in 2007, positioning himself to be the future of Toyota as the Japanese automaker prepares for its Nextel Cup debut, The Associated Press has learned. The hiring was confirmed to the AP on Sunday night by Red Bull officials at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. "Brian brings not only youth, but also championship credentials to the Red Bull seat," general manager Marty Gaunt said. "More importantly, he shares the same vision held by Team Red Bull and he becomes a key building block in the foundation of our team." Vickers asked earlier this month to be released from his contract with Hendrick Motorsports, where he has driven since 2003. His request was granted, clearing the way for Vickers to emerge from the shadow of his successful Hendrick teammates to drive for a startup company that will build its organization around the promising 22-year-old. "I hope this makes us - me and Team Red Bull - champions," Vickers said by phone from Sonoma, Calif., following his 14th-place finish in the NASCAR race. (AP/FoxSports.com)
June 18, 2006:
Toyota to submit '07 model, and then testing: The 2007 Toyota Camry that will be used in 20 of the 36 Nextel Cup Series races next season will be submitted to NASCAR on Monday morning, Lee White, TRD (Toyota Racing Development) USA's senior vice president and general manager, said Saturday. White was at Michigan International Speedway in conjunction with Toyota's Craftsman Truck Series program and said the 2007 Camry, complete with the latest generation nose, would be delivered to the NASCAR research and development center in Concord, N.C. NASCAR will take the car to the Lockheed wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga., for testing on Monday evening, he said. The car, which was constructed at TRD's engineering facility in High Point, N.C., by the group led by engineer Todd Holbert, is scheduled to test for NASCAR on Tuesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, driven by Toyota Truck Series driver Johnny Benson. (NASCAR.com)
June 9, 2006:
Team Red Bull: No Driver Signed yet: There's been speculation that Vickers might drive a Toyota for Team Red Bull next season. Team Red Bull general manager Marty Gaunt indicated in an e-mail that there's no deal yet with any driver. "Frankly, it is flattering to have this much interest in our new program, but the reality is that the driver search is still very open right now," Gaunt said. (AJC)
June 5, 2006:
Team Red Bull Announces B. Elliott driver, and three races in '06: Originally scheduled to debut in 2007, Team Red Bull today announces a short schedule of three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races it plans to enter in the fall of 2006 with veteran driver Bill Elliott, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, behind the wheel. “The organization and its competitive spirit are what attracted me to Team Red Bull,” says Elliott, who won the NASCAR Winston Cup driver’s title in 1988. “My job is simple . put the car in the show, drive it toward the front, and provide valuable input so that Team Red Bull is fully prepared by the Daytona 500. It’s really a great role at this stage of my racing career.” Leading the preparation of the non-Toyota equipped car are two recent race staff additions, Competition Director Elton Sawyer, a stock car racing veteran, and Technical Director John Probst, one of the racing industry’s top vehicle dynamics engineers. Sawyer and Probst join Gaunt and another appointee, Guenther Steiner, who came over to Team Red Bull from the Red Bull Racing F1 operation in a technical advisor role, as the team’s racing leadership operating out of the race shop in Mooresville, NC. The 60,000 sq. ft. facility recently underwent a Red Bull make-over since the energy drink company acquired the property from Penske Racing South prior to the team’s January 24 announcement by Toyota. Gaunt says the driver agreement with Elliott spans over three NEXTEL Cup races this fall – Charlotte, NC (Oct. 14), Atlanta, GA (Oct. 29), and Ft. Worth, TX (Nov. 5). Starting with the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season, Team Red Bull will field two, full-time Toyota Camry entries. Rumors notwithstanding, more “official” information on the new team—including 2007 drivers and crew chiefs—will be made available later this year. (Red Bull Racing PR)
June 2, 2006:
Germain Racing makes it official, another Toyota team: Germain Racing announced today that it will be part of NASCAR'S Car of Tomorrow program by running a partial Nextel Cup schedule in 2007 with a Toyota Camry and driver Todd Bodine. Germain Racing currently fields two Toyota Tundra teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driven by series points-leader Todd Bodine and Ted Musgrave, who is second in the points standings. The team has been very successful in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which has influenced Germain Racing's decision to expand its racing program into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. As with their truck program, the Germain Racing team will lease its engines from TRD , U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). "We're extremely excited to be joining the Nextel Cup Series and running in select races next year," said Bob Germain. "The fact that it's a completely new program will level the playing field a little and allow us to be more competitive. Plus with the limited schedule, we can continue to focus on truck racing as we expand our team to the next level." Germain Racing's driver, Todd Bodine who is currently leading the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver points will drive the Germain Racing Toyota Camry in 2007. Bodine will drive the partial NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule as well as continue to complete a full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next year. "I look forward to running our Tundra again next year as well as help Germain Racing build a new NASCAR Nextel Cup program," said Todd Bodine. Heading up the Germain Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup program will be GM, Mike Hillman, Sr. Hillman will oversee both the Craftsman Truck Series program and its Nextel Cup program for Germain Racing. Germain Racing has obtained some associate sponsorship for its NASCAR Nextel Cup program but is still actively seeking a primary sponsor. (Germain Racing PR)
June 1, 2006:
Toyota to field more than 6 teams in '07: Toyota will have more than its six full-time teams competing in at least some of the Nextel Cup races on the 2007 schedule, the manufacturer confirmed Wednesday. Jim Aust, vice president of Toyota Motorsports, said Germain Racing and Wyler Racing, two teams that field Toyotas in the Truck Series, are looking for sponsorship to run limited schedules next season. The teams would run one car each in some of the races in which the NASCAR "car of tomorrow" will be used. Todd Bodine, who drives for Germain in the Truck Series, would drive its car. Wyler has driver Jack Sprague in the Truck Series, but Aust said it has not decided who would drive the Cup car. (Charlotte Observer/David Poole)
May 22, 2006:
Drivers/Crew Members leery about team Red-Bull? Toyota's new Red Bull team is being viewed skeptically by some drivers and crew chiefs who might otherwise be interested in taking a job there, because team owner Dietrich Mateschitz will apparently be an absentee car owner. Those drivers and crew chiefs say they are leery about taking a job where they would be unable to make their case on any particular issue directly with the car owner himself. (Salem-Journal)
May 21, 2006:
Mayfield to Waltrip Racing?
Sadler, Mears looking at Toyota Team Red-Bull? Dodge's Casey Mears may be signing with Red Bull for 2007, leaving Chip Ganassi. Mears, in the final year of his Ganassi contract, was courted by car owner Richard Childress, either to fill Kevin Harvick's ride if Harvick had decided to leave, or to run a fourth Childress car. Ford's Elliott Sadler may also be signing with Red Bull, leaving Robert Yates, who is already dealing with the defection of Dale Jarrett to Toyota's Michael Waltrip for 2007. (Salem-Journal)
May 7, 2006:
Toyota Sponsorships worrisome to teams: While some NASCAR team owners are complaining about Toyota teams offering significant pay raises to lure away talented mechanics, Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said he fears sponsorship is the latest threat to race teams representing U.S. manufacturers. He's heard some Toyota teams have offered sponsors reduced rates, with Toyota subsidizing the deals. "Toyota is attacking the price points of our sponsorships in the garage by offering radical discounts to the sponsorship values that are out there today as a means of attracting the corporate sponsors to those teams," Smith said. "That's what they did in the [Craftsman Truck Series], and you can see what the impact is on the sponsorship environment there." (Myrtle Beach Sun)
May 5, 2006:
Toyota no more than 3 teams in 2007: Toyota has no plans to expand its team lineup beyond the three -- Waltrip, Red Bull and Bill Davis Racing -- it announced in January. Gordon's team, whose contract with Chevrolet ends following this season, is not under consideration. "We have three teams and we've got our hands full trying to build enough pieces for them," White said. "We're not interested in expanding. Those teams want and expect to run two cars each. We might be able to do a seventh car for one of them if they came to us and said, 'We've got a sponsor that we want to run,' but that would be the absolute limit." (CNN/SI) Would eliminate Kevin Harvick Inc. from Toyota Racing consideration if true.
April 29, 2006:
Waltrip talked with Jarrett and Rudd about Toyota ride: Michael Waltrip revealed on Friday that Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd have been asked about driving a Toyota next season — and he was emphatic about who was doing the wooing. Jack Roush and other team owners have speculated Toyota drastically will change the role of a manufacturer in NASCAR, opening its wallet to outspend rivals while bypassing its teams to recruit drivers and crewmembers directly. Waltrip, who will field two Camrys in both the Cup and Busch series next season, said his team is handling all negotiations on incoming personnel without any help from the Japanese manufacturer. (USA Today)
April 24, 2006
More on Jarrett and Toyota: It would appear Dale Jarrett is in the driver's seat when it comes to where he will drive in 2007. UPS has not renewed with car owner Robert Yates and will not until they are assured Jarrett's services have been secured. Jarrett, on the other hand, is being wooed by Toyota, with the full knowledge wherever Jarrett goes, UPS goes. (CircleTrackPlus.com)
April 22, 2006:
Toyota looking at Robby Gordon, Harvick still, Jarrett and sponsor UPS: Elsewhere on the Toyota front, Robby Gordon declined to comment on the latest reports that Toyota and sponsor Red Bull are making an offer to buy him and his entire team. General Motors executives are still hopeful of keeping Gordon in their fold and point to the extensive work they've done to help Gordon become more competitive as an independent owner-driver. Kevin Harvick, also said to be on Toyota's wish list, is still negotiating with GM and owner Richard Childress for a contract renewal, and the yes or no could come in the next few days. Harvick has set a package and price, and the ball is in Childress' court. But team sources indicate that Childress isn't willing to meet Harvick's demands. Childress has been unavailable for comment, and Harvick has declined to comment. According to sources, Dodge owner Ray Evernham may be interested in hiring Harvick. And Toyota apparently wants not only Dale Jarrett but also his sponsor, UPS. That situation is unclear, but it appears to mean that if car owner Robert Yates wants to keep UPS on his quarterpanels, he would also have to re-sign Jarrett for two more years. (Salem-Journal)
April 20, 2006:
Red Bull hires another from Ford: Red Bull Racing has hired John Probst from Ford Racing Technology, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday night. Probst will serve as the new team's technical director. A mechanical engineer with a degree from Penn State, Probst was the vehicle systems supervisor for Ford. The Red Bull operation, owned by the energy drink company, will field two Toyota teams in Nextel Cup in 2007. (NASCAR Scene Daily)
April 10, 2006:
Toyota trying to lure Gibbs, no comment from Roush on Harvick? Toyota continues to make headlines - and waves in the NASCAR garage - as the Japanese auto maker rolls toward its Daytona 500 Nextel Cup debut next February. There is still no word on which drivers Toyota might back, but Toyota may be making a run at car owner Joe Gibbs, with hopes of persuading the veteran Chevy man, and his three-man team of Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J. J. Yeley, to jump to the Camry brigade, according to sources. Chevy's Kevin Harvick continues to be a focal point of Toyota speculation. However, there is word that Harvick may be under consideration by Ford's Jack Roush for a driving job next season, though Harvick insists "I've not talked with Jack Roush, and I don't know Geoff Smith (Roush's contract attorney)." Smith was not here to discuss the situation, and Roush demurred: "I hear Toyota goes with Kevin Harvick, and there's not a Toyota in my future." (Salem-Journal)
April 8, 2006:
Toyota opens Checkbook, Jarrett among possibilities? The new NASCAR Nextel Cup Toyota operation that is being backed by Red Bull "has opened the checkbook," according to one top Ford man, who points to Red Bull's hiring of John Propst, a top Ford Motor Company vehicle dynamics specialist, and the hiring of a top Dodge engineer from the Ray Evernham camp for its new stock-car racing team. General Motors executives are anxiously watching their own key engineers for any similar defections. Elsewhere on the Toyota-NASCAR front, Toyota has made a bid to sign a two-year contract with Dale Jarrett, the tour's 1999 champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. Jarrett's contract with car owner Robert Yates is up at the end of this season. While it has been unclear for several months if Yates and Jarrett could come to new terms, Ford officials said Yates is offering Jarrett a contract similar to the Toyota deal. (Salem-Journal)
Red Bull hires Sawyer: Elton Sawyer, who was working with Evernham Motorsports in its driver development program, has been hired by Red Bull Racing as its Director of Competition, a team spokesman confirmed Thursday. Sawyer is third all-time in Busch Series starts with 392. He finished fifth in points three times in the series. He also had 29 Cup starts. Red Bull Racing will field two teams as part of Toyota's Nextel Cup effort next season. The team is owned by the energy drink company. (NASCAR Scene Daily)
March 18, 2006:
Toyota Red Bull team hiring crew members: Toyota's other team, Red Bull Racing, is hiring crew members and working to build a team for next season, Toyota officials say. (NewsRecord)
March 10, 2006:
Waltrip Tundra now available: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2006 Darrell Waltrip Edition Tundra. The Darrell Waltrip Edition Tundra is based on Tundra 4x2 and 4x4 SR5 V8 Double Cab grades. All Darrell Waltrip Edition Tundras will feature unique exterior and interior enhancements and will be available in two exterior colors, Spectra Blue Mica and Silver Sky Metallic. NASCAR Winston Cup fans will enjoy this Tundra's unique 18-inch TRD alloy wheels, unique mesh grille with color-keyed surround, TRD dual exhaust system, and Darrell Waltrip Signature badging and body-side graphics. Inside, passengers will appreciate the light charcoal cloth interior and Darrell Waltrip Signature floormats. Only 2,000 units of this Special Edition Tundra will be built. 4x2 models will carry a base MSRP of $29,615. The 4x4 model will begin at $32,950. Darrell Waltrip Edition Tundras are currently available at Toyota dealerships. (TMS PR)
Mar. 3, 2006:
New role for Red Bull T.D.: Former Red Bull Racing technical director Guenther Steiner is to leave Formula 1 and move to the energy-drink company’s fledgling NASCAR outfit. Steiner’s existing role at RBR was occupied when the team hired design genius Adrian Newey last November. Steiner will move from Milton Keynes to Mooresville, North Carolina, to serve as technical director for the Red Bull Toyota NASCAR team, which will make its debut in the premier Nextel Cup category in 2007. The 40-year-old South Tyrolean described his career move as “a new, fascinating challenge. “If as a European you are asked to help set up such an ambitious project, you simply cannot say no. “I am really looking forward to working on my new task.” (ITV)
Jan. 23, 2006:
Checkout GNEXTINC.com: GIMAGES for a first look at the 2007 Toyota Camry to compete in NEXTEL Cup series.
Toyota Official Release: NASCAR and Toyota announced Monday the manufacturer’s plans to expand its NASCAR program by competing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series starting in 2007, fielding the Toyota Camry model. The expansion will follow three years of Toyota competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and will result in all three of NASCAR’s national series having four manufacturers competing, as Toyota will join Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford. “NASCAR welcomes Toyota to the greatest auto racing in the world,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, who made the announcement on Monday at NASCAR’S Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. “Toyota’s entry into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series is good for drivers, teams and the fans. This move provides for even more intense competition on the track between drivers and manufacturers, which will provide more excitement and fan interest. Toyota’s entry also provides more options for drivers and teams, which will increase the competition between manufacturers.” “It’s a great pleasure to announce Toyota’s entry into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series with the Toyota Camry,” said Dave Illingworth, senior vice president and chief planning and administrative officer for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Next year – 2007 – will be a special year for Toyota in more ways than one. Toyota will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United States, and we will be joining the NASCAR NEXTEL CUP Series, America’s premier racing series. Toyota has been an important part of the U.S. motorsports community for almost 25 years. We’ve competed and won in different series and on tracks across America. Toyota drivers and teams have won championships in a variety of different series. But, if you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR. We look forward to February of 2007 when the green flag waves to start the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup features the Toyota Camry.” Illingworth, who joined France in making the announcement, said more information – regarding possible sponsor and driver lineups – will be released Tuesday night, during a media gathering at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord. Toyota, which has been doing business in America since 1957, now has eight plants in the United States – 14 if you count all of North America. Toyota will build approximately 1.6 million vehicles this year, including production at its new Tundra pickup plant in Texas. Toyota and its dealers now directly employ approximately 142,000 Americans. Since 1986, Toyota has built more than 12 million vehicles in the United States. More than 6.5 million Camrys have been sold in the United States and it has been the bestselling car in America for eight of the past nine years. Camrys are built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky. (Toyota.com)
Toyota officially joins NEXTEL Cup series: Toyota Motor said Monday it will join NASCAR's Nextel Series racing circuit, marking another market long dominated by U.S. automakers where the Japanese manufacturer plans to compete. Toyota, which has raced in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Craftsman Truck Series since 2004, will join the Nextel and Busch Series beginning in 2007, the automaker and racing association said. Toyota's drivers will race with its Camry model. "If you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR," Dave Illingworth, Toyota senior vice president, said in a statement. "We look forward to February 2007, when the green flag waves to start the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup features the Toyota Camry." The Nextel Series, which includes such well-known drivers as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, now consists of cars from General Motors' Chevrolet brand, Ford Motor and DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. (USA Today)
Toyota to join NEXTEL Cup with announcement today: Toyota Motor Corp. will announce Monday that it will join NASCAR's Nextel Series racing circuit, according to a source close to the plans, marking another market long dominated by U.S. automakers that the Japanese manufacturer plans to invade. Toyota, which has raced in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Craftsman Truck Series since 2004, will announce later Monday that it will join the Nextel and Busch Series beginning in 2007, the source said. Toyota's drivers will race with its Camry model. (San Diego Tribune)
Jan. 20, 2006:
Toyota to join Cup and Busch series: Toyota will move into NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch Series beginning in 2007, becoming the first foreign manufacturer to compete in the top racing series since Jaguar in the 1950's. The announcement is expected Monday in a news conference at NASCAR in Concord, N.C., according to a person with knowledge of the announcement who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it. Toyota will join the American brands Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge in the top two levels of competition. Toyota has competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 2004, ending a long-held rule by NASCAR that only American-based manufacturers could compete in its events. Toyota has paid to align itself with elite teams and drivers in the Truck series. There has been widespread speculation that Honda will follow Toyota into NASCAR. (New York Times)
Jan. 19, 2006:
Toyota announcement? Toyota could join the three American manufacturers [Chevy, Dodge, Ford] within two years. NASCAR is expected to address the issue Monday when it holds its state of the sport address on the annual media tour [in Charlotte]. Toyota, which already competes in the NASCAR truck series, has a press announcement scheduled Tuesday. (St. Petersburg Times)
Oct. 3, 2005:
More on Toyota and Cup series in '07: Toyota will support eight Nextel Cup teams when its cars make their debuts in 2007, but none of them is likely to be from Ganassi Racing, which all along figured to be part of the Toyota contingent. Toyota Racing Development will support four Penske Racing squads and two each from Bill Davis Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing. Davis and Waltrip will be partners in 2006, then turn their attention to Toyota. (Sporting News)
Aug 31, 2005
Harvick to switch manufacturers, maybe 42 Toyota in '07? It wasn't that long ago that Harvick was rumored to be the leading candidate to replace Rusty Wallace in the No. 2 car. At the time, he said he was committed to the No. 29 team and was expected to sign a lifetime agreement with Childress. But as the Chase loomed closer and Harvick appeared destined to miss the playoffs -- again -- the climate changed. Last Friday, when reporters asked about his status for next season, Harvick replied, "I'm checking things out and really just trying to see how it all goes. We'll race to the end of the year and see what happens." The recent infantile behavior by Harvick is not unlike Owens' posturing while waiting for the Eagles to renegotiate his contract that calls for a $3.25 million salary for this season. After GM Goodwrench opted not to renew its sponsorship of the truck team Harvick owns, the door was open for him to pursue options with other manufacturers. Don't be surprised to see Harvick driving the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Toyota in 2007. (Yahoo!/Lee Spencer)
Aug 27, 2005
Toyota not in Cup or Busch? Sources close to Toyota have confirmed that the Japanese automaker will not field a NASCAR Busch or Nextel Cup series car in 2006. (SPEED)
Aug 23, 2005
Penske to Toyota? Penske Racing's deal with Dodge ends after 2006, with widespread speculation that Penske will side with Toyota in 2007. Penske's recent hiring of 2004 champion Kurt Busch (for 2007) is being cast as Toyota's way of strengthening its roster with a proven champion. (SPEED)
Aug 6, 2005
Toyota not to hit track next week? But announcement? On-again, off-again reports of Toyota's future plans continue to pop up here and there. Toyota officials continue to leave their NASCAR plans open-ended, saying they are committed to running well in Craftsman Trucks before proceeding to stock cars, either in Busch or Cup. One report said Toyota plans to test a car at Atlanta next week, but Toyota associates said Friday that was news to them. "Next week?" scoffed car owner Bill Davis, who has supervised Toyota's NASCAR developments. "I will tell you that [Toyota] will have an announcement in the near future. Asked when and where, Davis repeated, "In the near future." (SPEED)
July 5, 2005
Toyota to make Cup Debut in 2007? Toyota is expected to shift the money it is spending on open wheel racing in America to NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series and its Busch Series as early as 2007. The Japanese automaker announced late in June that it would abandon the Indy Racing League and the Toyota Atlantic series at the end of the '06 season. Last week, Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager, confirmed to Stock Car Racing that Toyota Racing Development is working on a car chassis it has already submitted to NASCAR for approval. "We've built a car," Unger said. "At this point, it is strictly for development and testing purposes." But Unger said the car has been presented to NASCAR to be sure it will meet the templates. "I expect it will spend some time in the wind tunnel," he said. "If the process proves positive, then there is the possibility that in 2006 we'll do some testing only. There will be no competition that year." Unger declined to speculate if the car under study would be raced as a Camry, Avalon, or Solara, or if Toyota may have another name on the market by 2007. "It doesn't make a lot of difference what we call it," Unger said. "It still has to fit the templates." While the '07 season may seem like a long way off, Toyota will probably have to make a decision on its plans before the end of the year. "It takes 18 months to two years to get a program ready," Unger said. "We have to always look that far down the road." (More at Stock Car Racing)
July 2, 2005
Toyota misses Deadline: Friday was the deadline for manufacturers to submit new cars or new parts to NASCAR for next season. Chevrolet submitted a new Monte Carlo. Ford submitted a new car to replace the Taurus. Toyota, rumored that it would present a car for the Busch series, did not present anything. The highest level in NASCAR that Toyota competes is the Craftsman Truck series. "We had never expected anything from Toyota,'' said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president. (Roanoke)
June 28, 2005
Toyota to leave IRL after 2006: Toyota will end a 12-year run as an engine supplier in U.S. open-wheel racing after the 2006 IRL season, the Japanese auto manufacturer said Monday night. "This was simply a decision to move in a different direction after having our major U.S. motorsports emphasis on open-wheel racing since 1994," said Toyota vice president J. Davis Illingworth. Toyota, which also fields two cars in Formula One, moved into NASCAR last year with a fleet in the Craftsman Truck series. There has been considerable speculation that the company will move up to the Busch series in 2006 or 2007 and eventually move into Nextel Cup, challenging Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge, which currently race in NASCAR's top stock-car series. "We are continuing to explore our options in NASCAR," said Jim Aust, Toyota vice president of motorsports. "However, at the present time our continued focus is on the Craftsman Truck Series." (USA Today)
June 10 2005
No 2006 Toyota? The rumors of an earlier than expected entry by Toyota into the Nextel Cup Series appear to be unfounded. There had been speculation that Toyota already had built and tested cars, but no one seems to have seen the car. Most insiders say Toyota, which competes in the Craftsman Truck Series, won't move up before 2007.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
June 5 2005
NASCAR & Toyota Rift over future engines: NASCAR's meetings with the sport's four car makers about specifications for the engine of the future, tentatively designed to roll out in 2007, have been takin place since December. The Toyota engine, according to its rivals, has a technical edge in several respects, and the engine of the future project was in part designed to put all four car makers back on equal technical footing. The NASCAR-Toyota debate comes as word breaks that NASCAR and Honda are reported to be in talks for an engine program of some sort, still undefined, but apparently tied in with NASCAR's technical institute in Mooresville. (Salem-Journal)
May 9, 2005
Toyota Not Busch Racing? Denies Busch Entry: Patrick Wall, manager of Toyota Racing Development in High Point, confirmed that Toyota has participated in the discussions about the "Car of Tomorrow" and "Engine of the Future" which could bring as early as 2007 significant changes from the cars and engines used now. But, he said, Toyota's plans hinge on the timetable for implementation of the rules changes and that the only series Toyota will race in next year is the truck series. "We currently race trucks and we are looking at racing cars," Wall said. "We are doing an investigation into the best path for Toyota to get into car racing, and we are waiting on NASCAR to give us the timetable for the 'Car of Tomorrow' and 'Engine of the Future' before we determine what the best plan for us will be." ...He denied that Toyota is developing a car to race in the Busch Series next year. "We are not working on any Busch cars," he said. He said that it did not make sense financially to develop a car now if the rules are to change significantly in the near future. "When you look at the cost involved, it takes a couple of years to get a payback on that investment," Wall said. He also denied that Benson or any one else has tested a Toyota stock car. "I can assure you that there has not been a Toyota-bodied stock car or a stock car with a Toyota engine on a track anywhere on the planet since we raced in the NASCAR Dash Series with Robert Huffman in 2003," Wall said. (High Point Enterprise)
May 2, 2005
Toyota looking at Big Names, and GM, Ford Worried: Toyota is also reported to be bidding for some big-name NASCAR teams for its Busch effort, the biggest name mentioned being Chevy kingpin Rick Hendrick. GM executives insist they've got firm contracts with Hendrick for the next several years. However the Hendrick-Toyota questions have persisted, in part perhaps because Hendrick is one of the country's biggest Lexus dealers. Adding fuel to the Toyota-NASCAR issue are reports that Toyota plans to drop its IRL support at the end of the season (the company is spending nearly $100 million this year on its Indy-car program) and that Honda executives have indicated to IRL boss Tony George they don't plan to stick it out either if Honda is to become the only engine supplier to that series. (Salem-Journal)
April 30, 2005
NASCAR held talks with Toyota: NASCAR Nextel Cup Director John Darby confirmed Friday that Toyota is participating in discussions with NASCAR about the new engine and so-called “Car of the Future,” both of which are expected to be introduced in 2007. This is the strongest indication yet that the giant Japanese automaker likely will enter the Nextel Cup Series, probably in 2007, though publicly it has not committed to doing so — yet. But at the very least, Toyota seems committed to the Busch Series for ’06, as Darby said. Toyota intends to submit a new car and engine to NASCAR by July 1, Darby said, the first steps necessary for Toyota to compete in the Busch Series next year. (SPEEDTV)contract and take over the exclusive NASCAR franchise.(Salem-Journal)
April 18, 2005
Toyota on the move to NASCAR Busch in 2006? Toyota is getting closer to a Nextel Cup effort, according to sources, who say taht it's only a matter of time before Toyota executives finally pull the plug on their $98-million-a-year Indy Racing League operation and begin moving that cash to NASCAR, first for a Busch effort in 2006. Johnny Benson is reported to be set to test a Toyota Busch car at Michigan soon and at an unnamed short track. Among the drivers being mentioned in the rumor mill: Michael Waltrip, Sterling Marlin, Ward Burton, Martin Truex Jr., Brian Vickers, Jason Leffler, Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray, Reed Sorenson, Greg Biffle, David Stremme, Jeremy Mayfield and Ryan Newman. (Winston Salem Journal)
Toyota and Bridgestone? There is a new twist to the Toyota-NASCAR game plan: according to sources Toyota is already testing NASCAR-style tires for Bridgestone-Firestone, with the implication that when Toyota does step up to the Nextel Cup series, it plans to do so with Bridgestone-Firestone. Since Goodyear has an exclusive contract with NASCAR, the questions are obvious - are Toyota and Bridgestone going to challenge that exclusivity, or is NASCAR going to open up the Cup tour to competition between the two tire giants? (Winston Salem Journal)
Hendrick and Jeff Gordon to Toyota? This one sounds good because Rick Hendrick is one of the largest Toyota dealers in the country, but it won't happen. Unless, of course, Toyota buys GM in the next couple of years. (Yahoo!)
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