Toyota out of IRL, headed for NASCAR

BobbyFord

BobbyFord

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Toyota leaves IRL...for NASCAR? Toyota's withdrawal from the Indy Racing League before the 2006 season--it had previously announced it would stick around in the IRL for one more year--is designed to give it plenty of time and resources to prepare for its 2007 entry into the Nextel Cup Series. Bill Davis and Michael Waltrip are expected to field teams. Penske Racing also has been mentioned [and denied] as a candidate.(Sporting News)
AND It's a matter of when, not if, Toyota announces its intentions to expand its NASCAR entry beyond the Truck Series to the Nextel Cup and Busch circuits. Another sign that "when" could be soon came this week when the IndyCar Series confirmed Toyota's exit a year earlier than had been planned. Honda will provide all of the engines for the IndyCar Series in 2007. That frees up a lot of money in Toyota's racing budget, and it has been clear for some time that the manufacturer was heading this way. ThatsRacin's David Poole is hearing that the NASCAR world could get first word of Toyota's timetable before the 2006 season begins, perhaps in late January on the preseason media tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway.(ThatsRacin)(12-19-2005)
 
I think Ganassi will be a 'factory Toyota' team also, don't they share a new facilty or have a relationship with TRD? If nothing else, Toyota has proved in both CART, and the IRL that they will outspend every other competitor. With the GM and Ford financials, you have to wonder how much will be too much to invest in NASCAR when they could pull out and go the Champcar (Ford already is the series sponsor), IRL or even Grandam for one third the kind of money.
 
redrock said:
I think Ganassi will be a 'factory Toyota' team also, don't they share a new facilty or have a relationship with TRD? If nothing else, Toyota has proved in both CART, and the IRL that they will outspend every other competitor. With the GM and Ford financials, you have to wonder how much will be too much to invest in NASCAR when they could pull out and go the Champcar (Ford already is the series sponsor), IRL or even Grandam for one third the kind of money.
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Well Chevy already flopped in IRL, had to go to Ford Cosworth to help them get a competitive engine a couple years ago. Now Ford has sold Cosworth so I don't see either of them going back into IRL. I guess they could go into another series for 1/3 the money if they want the same results as they're getting, but if they want to be competitive in any series they've got to step up to the plate.
 
Automobile companies understand one important thing, TV ratings. At present, NASCAR is the king of the road, and they are very visible for about 90% of the year. IRL and CART are not anything close to the coverage of NASCAR so a change of sponsorship and support is not going to be an easy decision. I would think that instead, they would cut back on their support, but stay where they are.

The bane of this sport, in my humble opinion, has been and always will be, unlimited technology. Though NASCAR is very much aware of this, and are trying their best to control it, money will always find a way to circumvent the rules.
 
I totally agree buckaroo, the technology will make its' way into Nascar on a steady basis whether Nascar wants it or not, it is inevitable. As for the champcar and IRL, i don't see either of those 2 entities making it unless they unite. There isn't enough for both of them to survive, not enough sponsorship and not enough interest amongest fans, the TV ratings prove this fact. Nascar is where it is at, i don't see that changing any time soon either.
 
Just for you Mopardh9, our five time champ. However, since our boys are just a little bit underfunded compared to those boys from up your way, Tim just doesn't stand a chance. :)
 

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Nice pic...can't wait for the local scene to get in high gear again, only 3 more months!
 
UPDATE 3: 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)(1-20-2006)
 
They are gonna have to build Mikey a bunch of cars.. I can not think of many more drivers that would do worse introducing Toyota into a series.. He has a name that is known and a record too. I think they should go for a better record or none at all.
I do not wish them luck or success. I like my Chevys.
Betsy
 
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