It becomes official, (NASCAR related) *UPDATE* 1/25/06

[TruckDriver]

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)
    NASCAR Press Conference to be televised on Speed. Speed Channel will break into its regularly scheduled programs on Monday, Jan. 23 at 12:15pm/et for coverage of an important NASCAR press conference from the 23rd Annual NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour, hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. John Roberts will host the coverage from Speed Channel's Charlotte studios, with live reports from the press conference being held at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. Among the NASCAR Executives scheduled to appear: Chairman of the Board/CEO Brian France, President Mike Helton, Chief Operating Officer George Pyne, Vice President of Research & Development Gary Nelson.(Speed Channel PR)(1-20-2006)


I'm personally cool with it. I think they need more competition of manufactuers.

[MyMopar]

What does NASCAR stand for

[andy74]

fuck toyota and honda

[nh_mopar_fan]

fuck toyota and honda

How the hell do you get NASCAR from that?

[MyMopar]

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing


So any mfg can join in.  Personally I don't care but I would HATE to not see MOPAR - FORD or even CHEVY  come in top 2 ok I would HATE to see MOPAR get wasted but an import.  I think that is what frightens people the most that say no to the import mfg, they are afraid that their mfg is going to let them down.  Heck Chrysler keeps letting me down so I guess it doesn't really matter who joins in.

[Ponch ®]

Please...Dodges are built in Mexico, Chevys are built in Canada. Toyotas are built in the U.S. Which is really the import?

I think its a good thing, it brings more competition - just look at the truck series. I wouldnt worry about Toyota dumping truckloads of cash into their program - NASCAR will always take away any advantage a manufacturer gets (or simply let the others know what it is so they can do it too) to keep the playing field level. 

BTW - Also read that the Speed Channel is coming out with a new show that will be like the old "Car and Track".

[hemihead]

Welcome to the WWF of Auto Racing!

[Ponch ®]

Welcome to the WWF of Auto Racing!

[nh_mopar_fan]

Now known as the WWE.

[Ponch ®]

Now known as the WWE.

damn...is that Ric Flair? He sure as hell has been juicing up.

[nh_mopar_fan]

WOOOOOOOOOO!

[HDCharger]

Nothing stock about them anymore.  What happened to the days when they had to drive the cars that you and I could buy?

[Ponch ®]

Nothing stock about them anymore.  What happened to the days when they had to drive the cars that you and I could buy?

they were unsafe and the racing was incredibly boring.

I rather watch "WWE" racing that is entertaining than races where the leader would finish 3 laps ahead of 2nd place.

[BigBlackDodge]

Probably 70% of the vehicles in the parking lot of a typical NASCAR racing event are Japanese auto/trucks......................it's been coming for a long time now.

BBD

[89MOPAR]

Please...Dodges are built in Mexico, Chevys are built in Canada. Toyotas are built in the U.S. Which is really the import?



BTW - Also read that the Speed Channel is coming out with a new show that will be like the old "Car and Track".

Where do Toyotas corporate profits go ?  I think that would be an export - to Japan

I think it might actually be some old episodes of "car and track"   with dale Earnhart Jr  speaking.
They used to play those on Speed - their period road tests were great !   

I guess toyotas hype of durability will take a hit when motors start blowing and cars smack the wall [?]

[Ponch ®]

Please...Dodges are built in Mexico, Chevys are built in Canada. Toyotas are built in the U.S. Which is really the import?



BTW - Also read that the Speed Channel is coming out with a new show that will be like the old "Car and Track".

Where do Toyotas corporate profits go ?  I think that would be an export - to Japan

I think it might actually be some old episodes of "car and track"   with dale Earnhart Jr  speaking.
They used to play those on Speed - their period road tests were great !   

I guess toyotas hype of durability will take a hit when motors start blowing and cars smack the wall [?]

where do Ford and Chevy's profits go? oh wait...there are none. And DCX's go to Germany.

The Toyota motors are a combination of the three existing NASCAR v8's, since Toyota doesnt actually make a pushrod v8.

[Lightning]

Please...Dodges are built in Mexico, Chevys are built in Canada. Toyotas are built in the U.S. Which is really the import?



BTW - Also read that the Speed Channel is coming out with a new show that will be like the old "Car and Track".

Where do Toyotas corporate profits go ?  I think that would be an export - to Japan

I think it might actually be some old episodes of "car and track"   with dale Earnhart Jr  speaking.
They used to play those on Speed - their period road tests were great !   

I guess toyotas hype of durability will take a hit when motors start blowing and cars smack the wall [?]

actually, I don't think Toyota lost as many motors as Ford and Chevy last year in the truck series.

[Telvis]

I do some work for the Toyota plant in Georgetown, KY. I spend about twenty hours a week there doing internal investigations for their Human Resources. They are a pretty good company to work for. I don't have any real factory experience but it seems to be very well run. They treat their employees extremely well. I know I have to treat them with kit gloves while conducting investigations.  Eventhough they help pay my bills, I can't say I am fond of them going into the nextel cup races. I would prefer only the big three Dodge, Ford and GM to be the only companies racing. What are they going to race? The Camry or Avalon? I just can't picture it.

[Ponch ®]

the camry.

which is cool, cuz after I dump the monte carlo I can borrow my mom's Camry to go to the races and put a big #2 flag on it to represent.

[nh_mopar_fan]

#2 is the perfect way to describe that Camry.

[TruckDriver]

Now known as the WWE.

Looks like Rick Flair has been hitting the steroids a bit since the last time I watched wrestling, wow!

[greenpigs]

Now known as the WWE.

Damn, he is cruising for a heart attack, what is he 60 YO?

I don't watch NASCAR and sure as hell will not after the addition of Toyota.

[Ponch ®]

Damn, he is cruising for a heart attack, what is he 60 YO?

Im starting a pool on whether he goes first of a) heart attack or b) OD's on coke. who wants in?

[greenpigs]

Damn, he is cruising for a heart attack, what is he 60 YO?

Im starting a pool on whether he goes first of a) heart attack or b) OD's on coke. who wants in?

ME

My guess, I say 10-28-2006 his heart says screw it and stops.

[golden73]

Yup... Ric will die of a heart attack, and drugs will be a big factor for it.


I for one, am glad to see toyota join nascar.... even tho I don't watch it