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I think it does strengthen the brand in the US. Down here we all know that if you want a trouble free car you buy ToyotaIt appears that Toyota believes the win on Sunday sell on Monday philosophy.
It appears that Toyota believes the win on Sunday sell on Monday philosophy.
When TRD came to NASCAR, they were adamant about not getting involved in driver development. David Wilson addressed this with Nate Ryan in Nate's podcast last summer. I think a significant part of this was the entry strategy Toyota had under Lee White. They wanted to participate. Blend in. The switch flipped when Toyota lost Larson IMO. David mentions losing Larson frequently. Now, I believe that David has full Toyota support to develop drivers. Jack Irving is in charge of "scouting." In fact, it is my understanding that they have proprietary software (I believe developed with Microsoft) which evaluates talent relative to the quality of equipment they are in. Bottom line....this isn't just a commitment--it's a structured program.
I think that historically drivers were the face of the manufacturer. I see a lot of Senior fans with Chevy hats. Then, the COT mess. The COT wasn't a big deal to me, but I hated that NASCAR took the manufacturers out of the equation, and made the drivers the centerpieces. With the Gen 6, NASCAR attempted (half-heartedly) to bring back the manufacturers. I think that TRD's philosophy is to create an environment where the drivers are the face of the manufacturer. In essence, the message to the younger fan is....Here's an Erik Jones hat---drive a Toyota like he does. I like it. David has been very aggressive with this program, and that makes me feel like Toyota is going to be here for a very long time. Great stuff.
However, as @Team Penske mentioned, this has changed the manufacturer business model. Pericak at Ford created their development program this year utilizing Brad K's Truck team, and SHR at the Xfinity level. Chevy is behind. This all costs money, and no doubt fingers will be pointing to Toyota as the root of all of this evil. I'd say that Toyota has committed long enough. Keep up or shut up.
Is this the same David Wilson?
“We had a plan for Daniel and he was going to run another full Xfinity season to defend his championship and he was good with that,” Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson
Chevy thinks they don't need a development program so far
Much easier and cheaper to snipe an Elliott, Bowman and a Byron IMO.
“Trust me, I have been a tremendous failure at driver development. One year we wrecked 50-some cars and that was enough for me," Hendrick said. "But none of those (drivers) had the experience or the success that William has.”
Much easier and cheaper to snipe an Elliott, Bowman and a Byron IMO.
“Trust me, I have been a tremendous failure at driver development. One year we wrecked 50-some cars and that was enough for me," Hendrick said. "But none of those (drivers) had the experience or the success that William has.”
I think it does strengthen the brand in the US. Down here we all know that if you want a trouble free car you buy Toyota
Very true, and it will be interesting in the next few years to see what the return on the investment is. TRD has a lot riding on Erik Jones IMO. He is the poster boy for the driver development program.
As you know, I like you pay a bit of attention to these manufacturer things, some around here don't give a flip about it, but I do know when I say Toyota is spending a whole ton of money over everybody else and istgoes all the way down the line. They outnumbered everybody almost combined at the Chili Bowl. So even though Hendrick is representing the GM brand well in cup, it is nothing compared to Toyota. Ford has been getting the most bang for their buck worldwide I believe. The new Ford GT has generated a lot of interest world wide.
As Nascar's footprint gets smaller it will be interesting for me see how this impacts the resources manufacturers allocate to it. At some point does a manufacturer get a board of directors that wants to go in another direction? Will another company want to form an identity by aligning with Nascar? It is difficult to know without knowing how much money a manufacturer has tied up in Nascar.
Funny you should post this. I have been following WRC like a maniac. Tech is so cool. Drivers are insane. A race against a clock--which really has always been my rush. This is why I used to be so confused about "great racing." To the NASCAR set, that is side-by-side. To the WRC set IMO, it is about firing the engines and having at it--may the best time win. To put it another way....I am that one guy in the stands on a Friday when I go to a Cup event....and yeah, I cheer like hell when one of my TRD Toyotas goes to the top of the board. Maybe that 's stupid. I don't care. I enjoy it.
I wonder how large an impact win on Sunday sell on Monday has in today's Nascar climate? I'm with you as I have had great ownership experiences with Nissan and Toyota and the Honda motorcycles I have had have been bulletproof. I know that Hyundai and Kia have won a lot of fans too.
Harvick mentions mentoring Cole Custer. I was really high on the kid when Haas bankrolled his way into the trucks, but his progress has been disappointing. Looking ahead, if he gets to cup and with his dad being a big wig at Haas he probably will, I see a mini Menard future so far.
To buy anything union made is ridiculous and asking for trouble. I do my very best to avoid it.Yeah, very good point....and I hadn't considered that when you mention Toyota spending that you are talking more than just Cup.
See, the thing with me is that when Toyota announced going to Cup and Xfinity, I winced--I didn't want them to come in an upset the apple cart. However, I was pleased to see that they came to the series with great respect. They truly wanted to blend in, and become part of the NASCAR culture. They did numerous studies about how they would be seen if they chose to enter, and everything was very positive. They have been diligent in making sure that they don't get too far ahead--particularly at that time when the economy was sh!t, and Chevy and Ford were struggling. I also wince just a bit with the "Made in America" stuff. Yeah, many Toyota products are made in America, but with non-union labor. To many, "Made in America" means with union labor. This, I believe could lend itself to a negative backlash against Toyota--the playing field is not the same. Mr France told Lee White, "Y'all welcome to come and participate. Y'all welcome to win, but only by this much (thumb and forefinger)." Toyota has taken this seriously. However, there is a delicate balance between commitment and spending. Where is that line? I believe that this line existed somewhere in the driver development piece. David has stretched that line probably because TRD feels that 11 years of commitment and investment gives them the right to set trends, and not just blend in any longer....again, however, there needs to be a balance.
I think that it has some impact--Toyota feels that way. However, the dealership side is lame as hell. I have talked to my dealership about oil change discounts on Toyota win weeks, etc. (18% off when Kyle wins, etc.) as a means of getting people into NASCAR and the ownership doesn't even know what the hell I am talking about. IMO, this is on Toyota regionally. Make this matter damn it! Quit just sitting back to see if customers get into NASCAR. Promote it! I will say, however, that my Parts Dept. stocks Toyota Racing gear upon my request. Had some Championship gear for Christmas in '15. Pretty proud of that.
I don't think SHR is giving him a car to compete with JGR or JRM.
Good point. That could be a big part of it. I know Penske when they switched the first year to Ford were really slow. Some people say these cars are all the same, I don't see it myself. They are also a single car team with a new car. I forgot that Cole got hammered trying to make the playoffs in the trucks by Nemechek with a Chevy Haas had bought and had Jr/Hendrick help with so there is that too.I don't think SHR is giving him a car to compete with JGR or JRM.
Truex would put them out of business.I have talked to my dealership about oil change discounts on Toyota win weeks, etc. (18% off when Kyle wins, etc.)
yeah good choice with Kyle Damn BuschTruex would put them out of business.
Truex would put them out of business.
One of my local Toyota dealerships has a lot of TRD/Nascar and Kyle Busch items displayed including engines, helmets, racing suits and it is cool. The other dealership has nothing. I don't mean it has just a bit of stuff I mean it has zippo and you would not know Toyota is in Nascar. As a company it would be great if Toyota had promotions to increase Nascar awareness but they would have to pay for them. The problem is that the companies want dealers to absorb the cost of promotions and they are already losing money on things like oil changes. A lot of times you end up discounting a product the person was willing to pay regular price for and hurt yourself worse. It is a balancing act.
1% off Cessna planes for everybody!ToyotaCare on a new car is three years free maintenance. Think they'd be okay, and.....that just might draw some people to the sport.....but to your point, Jaimie Mac wouldn't get you sh!t if he drove a Toyota.
So is RamCare on my new truck.ToyotaCare on a new car is three years free maintenance.
No, I am one person here who doesn't think SHR is putting out very good stuff. We all know Harvick has a top notch CC and he doesn't answer to anyone on what he wants in his car. Someone gives him a hard time and I am pretty sure both Harvick and his CC walk.Do you think that is due to the manufacturer switch?