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

[Old Moparz]

Hey Ponch,

That car doesn't look any different than what's running on the tracks already. 

I never really followed NASCAR much, but had liked to watch when Richard Petty raced just to see if he'd ever win again before he retired. (Man, that was a long time.) I got slightly interested again when Dodge came back, but lost interest since all  the cars all looked the same except for the numbers & paint. I say let Toyota race, why not? More cars competing might make it more interesting & the ricers will start doing NASCAR paint jobs on the street cars. I bet they'll probably get an entire season out of one engine anyway.

[myk]

"Japmobile..."  That's funny considering that some of the parts we use to modify our Chargers come from foreign countries including Asia.

Alot of you guys in here are ultra-cool,  but the cousin humping hillbillies really ruin it for us, ya know? 

[hemihead]

When you don't have a job then your views will change about imports.

[89MOPAR]

 I just came across a print ad from GM - it says that for every 100 cars it builds - they support 23 American jobs - and that # is twice the # of jobs as any "import" manufacturer.....
  Toyota may assemble the cars in the US - but go look at the % content sticker - majority asian...

[Ponch ®]

this guy gets it:

Foreign invasion?

By Jerry Bonkowski, Yahoo! Sports
January 23, 2006

CHARLOTTE – Toyota is coming, Toyota is coming.

So what?

Monday's announcement that Toyota will finally fulfill its long-rumored entry as a competing manufacturer in both Nextel Cup and Busch Series competition is much ado about nothing.

Sure, there are purists and old-time fans who would love to take NASCAR chairman Brian France out to the woodshed, saying along the way: "How dare you bring in a non-American car manufacturer? It's sacrilege, and yet another nail in the coffin of GM, Ford and Dodge."

"It's un-American," the red-necked, white sock-wearing and Blue Ribbon-beer loving crowd will say. They're also part of the same group that probably believes NASCAR should not be running races in Mexico or, someday soon, in Canada.

If this was the old USA, circa 1986, it would be more understandable that Japanese automakers would create such a stir. But this is 20 years later, the 21st century, and America is more culturally and ethnically diverse than ever.

So what if Toyota is headquartered in Japan? Tell the nearly 400,000 employees the company has here in the good old U. S. of A. that it's a Japanese-only firm, or that it only produces cars in the Land of the Rising Sun rather than in places like Erlanger and Georgetown, Ky.; Princeton, Ind.; Fremont, Calif.; St. Louis and Troy, Mo.; Huntsville, Ala.; San Antonio; and Buffalo, W. Va.

Those sure sound an awful lot like American towns to me. And unless I miss my bet, I'm guessing that almost all of those employees in those towns are red-blooded Americans just like you and me.

There's more.


Of the roughly two million Toyota cars and trucks sold in the U.S. in 2004, 1.15 million of them were built right here on American soil.

Toyota pumped nearly $25 billion – yes, $25 billion – into the U.S. economy in 2004 with purchases of American auto parts, materials and other goods and services.

As much as some people may not like it, the America of 20 years ago is gone. We're no longer semi-isolationist. Rather, we're part of an ever-growing and thriving global economy that is blurring the lines of what is made where or who works for whom.

While it's understandable that many might lament that the global economy and outsourcing sometimes costs jobs here in the U.S., Toyota coming into NASCAR isn't about politics – it's about competition and sport.

(Incidentally, when I visited the Toyota Research and Development Center in High Point, N.C. a couple of years ago, I came away quite impressed with the facility and the plans the company had for the future – and I also noticed that an overwhelming majority of the employees I saw that day were American.)

Some may disagree. But when Dodge came back into NASCAR nearly five years ago, there was no backlash over the fact that parent company Daimler-Chrysler is based in Germany. Dodge is based in Auburn Hills, Mich., the purists adamantly said, ignoring that Daimler-Chrysler's top executives spoke with decidedly European accents.

But it's common to see American NASCAR fans driving to the races in Toyotas sporting stickers of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace and the like – and don't forget the countless other Japanese-brand vehicles such as Nissan and Honda in race track parking lots from Talladega to Fontana.

I've owned only four brands of cars in my life, and they've all given me years of good service and reliability: Dodge, Chevrolet, Buick and Toyota. They were all fairly well-made and performed almost identically to the other. So what if one was built in Canada (Dodge Intrepid), or another in Japan (Toyota Supra), while the others were built in the U.S.?

These are cars, folks, and this is the reality of business and sport in the U.S.

Toyota is coming into the top two levels of NASCAR because it feels it can be competitive on the race track, sell cars in dealership showrooms, make money and show a different kind of ingenuity against its American counterparts.

That's not any different from the reasons Ford, Dodge and Chevy are in NASCAR.

Toyota's roots may be in Japan, but the ingenuity will come from American drivers, American-owned teams, American crew members and American engineers.

You can't get much more American than that. It almost makes me want to go out and buy some apple pie and vanilla ice cream to go along with my sushi.

[andy74]

When you don't have a job then your views will change about imports.

my point here-i could give a rats ass if they let the imports in to race,its the holier han thou attitude,the we can beat you round eyes at your own games(,like we do at baseball,)blahblah blah

i sell american cars and parts,for a german owned company,my pay check depends on it,and if someone has a issue with it,when they are out of work maybe they can eat their foreign car

[Orange_Crush]

this guy gets it:

Foreign invasion?

By Jerry Bonkowski, Yahoo! Sports
January 23, 2006

CHARLOTTE – Toyota is coming, Toyota is coming.

So what?

Monday's announcement that Toyota will finally fulfill its long-rumored entry as a competing manufacturer in both Nextel Cup and Busch Series competition is much ado about nothing.

Sure, there are purists and old-time fans who would love to take NASCAR chairman Brian France out to the woodshed, saying along the way: "How dare you bring in a non-American car manufacturer? It's sacrilege, and yet another nail in the coffin of GM, Ford and Dodge."

"It's un-American," the red-necked, white sock-wearing and Blue Ribbon-beer loving crowd will say. They're also part of the same group that probably believes NASCAR should not be running races in Mexico or, someday soon, in Canada.

If this was the old USA, circa 1986, it would be more understandable that Japanese automakers would create such a stir. But this is 20 years later, the 21st century, and America is more culturally and ethnically diverse than ever.

So what if Toyota is headquartered in Japan? Tell the nearly 400,000 employees the company has here in the good old U. S. of A. that it's a Japanese-only firm, or that it only produces cars in the Land of the Rising Sun rather than in places like Erlanger and Georgetown, Ky.; Princeton, Ind.; Fremont, Calif.; St. Louis and Troy, Mo.; Huntsville, Ala.; San Antonio; and Buffalo, W. Va.

Those sure sound an awful lot like American towns to me. And unless I miss my bet, I'm guessing that almost all of those employees in those towns are red-blooded Americans just like you and me.

There's more.


Of the roughly two million Toyota cars and trucks sold in the U.S. in 2004, 1.15 million of them were built right here on American soil.

Toyota pumped nearly $25 billion – yes, $25 billion – into the U.S. economy in 2004 with purchases of American auto parts, materials and other goods and services.

As much as some people may not like it, the America of 20 years ago is gone. We're no longer semi-isolationist. Rather, we're part of an ever-growing and thriving global economy that is blurring the lines of what is made where or who works for whom.

While it's understandable that many might lament that the global economy and outsourcing sometimes costs jobs here in the U.S., Toyota coming into NASCAR isn't about politics – it's about competition and sport.

(Incidentally, when I visited the Toyota Research and Development Center in High Point, N.C. a couple of years ago, I came away quite impressed with the facility and the plans the company had for the future – and I also noticed that an overwhelming majority of the employees I saw that day were American.)

Some may disagree. But when Dodge came back into NASCAR nearly five years ago, there was no backlash over the fact that parent company Daimler-Chrysler is based in Germany. Dodge is based in Auburn Hills, Mich., the purists adamantly said, ignoring that Daimler-Chrysler's top executives spoke with decidedly European accents.

But it's common to see American NASCAR fans driving to the races in Toyotas sporting stickers of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace and the like – and don't forget the countless other Japanese-brand vehicles such as Nissan and Honda in race track parking lots from Talladega to Fontana.

I've owned only four brands of cars in my life, and they've all given me years of good service and reliability: Dodge, Chevrolet, Buick and Toyota. They were all fairly well-made and performed almost identically to the other. So what if one was built in Canada (Dodge Intrepid), or another in Japan (Toyota Supra), while the others were built in the U.S.?

These are cars, folks, and this is the reality of business and sport in the U.S.

Toyota is coming into the top two levels of NASCAR because it feels it can be competitive on the race track, sell cars in dealership showrooms, make money and show a different kind of ingenuity against its American counterparts.

That's not any different from the reasons Ford, Dodge and Chevy are in NASCAR.

Toyota's roots may be in Japan, but the ingenuity will come from American drivers, American-owned teams, American crew members and American engineers.

You can't get much more American than that. It almost makes me want to go out and buy some apple pie and vanilla ice cream to go along with my sushi.

C'mon ponch (mojo, Iceman, whatever the hell you call yourself )

This means nothing because, after all, "Toyota" is a Japanese name.

Lets face it folks, Toyota is the big dog right now, that's just the fact of the matter.  NASCAR is hoping this brings in more race fans and more revenue.  I have many issues with NASCAR, this isn't one of them.  Toyota is the new Chevrolet.  I think Toyota is wasting their money and they would be WAY better off trying to field a more competitive WRC team, but that's just me.

[Ponch ®]

its the holier han thou attitude,the we can beat you round eyes at your own games(,like we do at baseball,)blahblah blah

If its 'our own game' then they shouldnt be able to beat us. it's that simple. right?

[CFMopar]

Are you guys affraid toyota might clean up?

I say good on toyota

[hemihead]

Toyota will clean up because NASCAR says NO HEMI ! 

[Shakey]

I finally took the time to read all of these posts.  I feel bad for the folks that are so afraid of change.

Some of the things I see:

#2 is the perfect way to describe that Camry.

Toyota is the # 1 auto manufacturer.

GM and Ford are cutting jobs, Toyota is building more plants.

Correct.  Why do people support poorly managed companies just because they are American.  Seems like a lot of people think with their heart instead of their brain.  Which is fine, but you should base your opinions on facts rather than emotions and when things don't work out, which they are not, then don't complain and blame the foreigners.

It just doesnt sit well with me. To me, Nascar should only be our root history manufacturers....You know....the big three

The big three are not the big three anymore!  Are you concerned about healthy & fair competition?

If Toyota and Honda want to get into stock car racing....Let um start there own version of Nascar

The Winter Olympics start on February 10th in Torino, Italy.  It would not be very interesting if only the Greeks were allowed to compete now would it?  The Olympics are a business, just like NASCAR.  Businesses must change and adapt to grow and prosper.  Perhaps they will change the name of the series to IASCAR, with the I for international replacing the N for national.

I tell you one thing. As a diehard Nascar fan. You will never see me up in the stands chearing for a Toyota or Honda car. No matter whos driving it

Your choice and that is fine with me, millions of others as well as the foreign auto manufacturers.  You should feel lucky to live in a country that allows that.

By 2010 it will be called FUJI CUP championship!

Possibly.  I am sure the drivers wouldn't care whose name was in the upper left corner of the cheque.

As far as Toyota, I don't like it but I guess that's America today.

You nailed it here.

Just like where they learned how to build cars in the first place.

But you missed it here.  Are you sure the Americans taught the Japanese how to build cars?

All praise the Babyboomers for their love of money.

You don't like money?

It survived for 50+ years the way it is, now they add an import brand and go to a generic body.

Ford has survived for 100 years and now they are cutting jobs, 30,000 of them, and bleeding like a gunshot victim.  The same can be said about GM.  To survive you must adapt.

If Ryan Newman goes to Toyota I will throw my #12 hat in the trash.

Doesn't matter if my mom was driving the car - I will never be caught dead cheering for anyone in a Japmobile.

Ryan Newman is a whiny little kid that yes, can drive a race car, however his ego must get in the way of his vision sometimes.  I bought a # 12 die cast model for my office at the Las Vegas Speedway last March and then read an article a month later about how he would not listen to any of his peers with regards to racing and etiquette at the track.  I gave the car to my Daughter to play with.  You would not cheer for your favourite driver or a family member because of contract obligations?  Would that be considered loyal?  Japmobile - I have read many of your posts Vain and I never figured you'd use a word like that.  You live in Southern California not Southern Mississippi - correct?

"Japmobile..."  That's funny considering that some of the parts we use to modify our Chargers come from foreign countries including Asia.

Alot of you guys in here are ultra-cool,  but the cousin humping hillbillies really ruin it for us, ya know?

I guess I covered this already.

When you don't have a job then your views will change about imports.

Yep!  An affordable and reliable car to use to get from interview to interview.

this guy gets it

Rather than quote the whole post, the key words:

GLOBAL ECONOMY

my point here-i could give a rats ass if they let the imports in to race,its the holier han thou attitude,the we can beat you round eyes at your own games(,like we do at baseball,)blahblah blah

You say you could give a rats ass if they let the imports race - check your first post in this thread Andy!  With regards to the holier than thou attitude - who are you refering to?  Not the Japanese I hope.  The Japanese people are polite and soft spoken and are all for competition but not in a boisterous or flamboyant in your face demeanor.

If its 'our own game' then they shouldnt be able to beat us. it's that simple. right?

To me, sounds like some folks are just plain nervous about competition.  This shouldn't be as we all know that NASCAR will maintain a level playing field.  Sometimes too level.

Are you guys affraid toyota might clean up?

I guess I just covered this also.


To sum it up from my perspective, I have been a big fan of stock car racing my whole 36 years on earth.  As a kid, the televison coverage was limited.  My first NASCAR race was in Michigan in June of 1991.  I have been to so many races at so many different tracks that I have lost count.  One year I made it to 8 races all across your great nation.  As I get older, I get tired of the politics involved as well as the same stories week in and week out.  I get tired of the same announcers using the same dribble every week.  They need to retain me as a fan and to do so, they must make things interesting.  I no longer plan my weekends around Sunday afternoons, mostly because I am a Father now, but it just doesn't interest me that much anymore.

I feel the same sometimes when it comes to changing tradition - as a hockey fan I was crushed when Gary Bettman came into the NHL and changed all of the divisions names from Campbell, Norris etc to Eastern, Western etc. just to make it easier for fans to follow and understand.  I got over it, and although the game has changed significantly and had its ups and downs, the NHL is still around and in the early '90's that was debateble.

I say good for NASCAR for keeping it's competitors on their toes, as well as the auto manufacturers.  You don't have to cheer for a Toyota but don't hate the sanctioning body just because they are trying to improve the sport.  Beleive it or not, this will be good for auto racing.

I witnessed the politics first hand as I worked on a CASCAR (Canada's answer to NASCAR) for a few years in the late '90's, working in the pits and as a spotter as well as preparing the car each week.  The changes made in the series were necessary for it to grow.  The drivers and teams didn't like adapting, but after a while they were grateful for the changes that took place.



   

[NHCharger]

Shakey = new official                 
I think many people are more upset about the loss of a tradition. This is like letting the girls join the boy scouts. It just doesn't feel right. I have been slowly losing interest in NASCAR since they are making all the bodies look alike, I realize a lot of the changes NASCAR does is to try and eliminate cheating. Since your old school you must remember when one of the owners started making their own cars on a 9/10th scale.
was that Smokey Yunick? Because of that Nascar had to start using templates at each race to catch all the cheaters.
Why is Dodge pulling most of it's backing out of the truck series that it's had so much success in? They realize Toyota is going to be the big dog in that series and why piss money out the window.
How long before Honda enters cup racing?
How long before we have to hear "Honda and toyota battling to win the Daytona 500? Being somewhat of a traditionalist that is hard to stomach.
NASCAR has probably already figured they will lose 20% of the fan base with this move. But they will probably pick up even more than that with Toyota joining. Yuppies and DINKS (double income no kids) with their mastercards  are going to spend a lot more at the race track than a family of four with a 40k income. NASCAR's new slogan should be "show me da money".

[Shakey]

Shakey = new official                 
I think many people are more upset about the loss of a tradition. This is like letting the girls join the boy scouts. It just doesn't feel right. I have been slowly losing interest in NASCAR since they are making all the bodies look alike, I realize a lot of the changes NASCAR does is to try and eliminate cheating. Since your old school you must remember when one of the owners started making their own cars on a 9/10th scale.
was that Smokey Yunick? Because of that Nascar had to start using templates at each race to catch all the cheaters.
Why is Dodge pulling most of it's backing out of the truck series that it's had so much success in? They realize Toyota is going to be the big dog in that series and why piss money out the window.
How long before Honda enters cup racing?
How long before we have to hear "Honda and toyota battling to win the Daytona 500? Being somewhat of a traditionalist that is hard to stomach.
NASCAR has probably already figured they will lose 20% of the fan base with this move. But they will probably pick up even more than that with Toyota joining. Yuppies and DINKS (double income no kids) with their mastercards  are going to spend a lot more at the race track than a family of four with a 40k income. NASCAR's new slogan should be "show me da money".

I didn't want to stir it up too much but saw numerous opportunities to make some points.

BTW, I agree with you Brian and many others.  I too am a traditionalist however I think that change is necessary for sucess, within reason.  I say no to women in the PGA as there is a blatant difference in competitors.  I don't see a major difference in the automobiles on the highway other than the nameplates on the trunks.

Maybe NASCAR is no longer interested in the family of four that will spend $600.00 USD at a race but the "skybox" crowd that will spend $12,000.00 USD at a race.  If I owned that business I would be!  I stated that I was also losing interest, this might make me watch an extra race or two when this comes to fruition.  I also think that this might prompt the auto manufacturers to step up a bit.

Perhaps, there should be a PGA tour, and LPGA tour and at the end of the year a shootout or championship round.  Perhaps there should be two versions of NASCAR, Doemstic and Import with a shootout or championship race at the end of the season.

Maybe what bothers me is that some people think that America would survive without the rest of the world.  The truth of the matter, America needs other countries in this world just as much as the world needs a country like the United States.  Again these two words - global economy.

Maybe it's me that has to get used to people not wanting to change.   

Yes, Smokey was the man!

[Ponch ®]

  I have read many of your posts Vain and I never figured you'd use a word like that.  You live in Southern California not Southern Mississippi - correct?

pssst...he rides a Honda!

Yes, Smokey was the man!

I was reading a book about NASCAR (dont remember which one) and it had a great story about Smokey. One time after a race, NASCAR officials thought he was cheating by using a bigger gas tank and fuel lines,  so they took the gas tank out, and the fuel lines. Smokey told them to go screw themselves, got in the car, started it, and drove away. 

[Shakey]

extra fuel lines in the frame rails 

[Old Moparz]

extra fuel lines in the frame rails 

I recall reading that one too, excellent way to see where the gray areas are in the rules.    There were 2 other things I recall he did. One was that front spoilers/air-dams weren't allowed, so instead, he spliced the front bumper horizontally, added a couple of inches, rewelded & painted it so nobody knew. The other was removing the floor pans from the topside of the frame rails & reattaching them to the bottom side so the car was more aerodynamic. I forget where I read all of it.

[hemihead]

 M aybe someone should sell their Charger and buy a car that represents a world of happy unity instead of AMERICAN muscle.You rant on about NASCAR fans being accepting change but you don't want women in men's golf?Who has the "Mississippi" mentality there?That is just plain sexist.
You seem to have a lot of issues against this country.I take it your Canadian?If everything is so great about foreigners then why do Canadians treat their French speaking citizens so bad?Go back to Canada.Take your Toyota with you.

[70charginglizard]

Shakey = new official                 
I think many people are more upset about the loss of a tradition. This is like letting the girls join the boy scouts. It just doesn't feel right. I have been slowly losing interest in NASCAR since they are making all the bodies look alike, I realize a lot of the changes NASCAR does is to try and eliminate cheating. Since your old school you must remember when one of the owners started making their own cars on a 9/10th scale.
was that Smokey Yunick? Because of that Nascar had to start using templates at each race to catch all the cheaters.
Why is Dodge pulling most of it's backing out of the truck series that it's had so much success in? They realize Toyota is going to be the big dog in that series and why piss money out the window.
How long before Honda enters cup racing?
How long before we have to hear "Honda and toyota battling to win the Daytona 500? Being somewhat of a traditionalist that is hard to stomach.
NASCAR has probably already figured they will lose 20% of the fan base with this move. But they will probably pick up even more than that with Toyota joining. Yuppies and DINKS (double income no kids) with their mastercards  are going to spend a lot more at the race track than a family of four with a 40k income. NASCAR's new slogan should be "show me da money".

[CFMopar]

M aybe someone should sell their Charger and buy a car that represents a world of happy unity instead of AMERICAN muscle.You rant on about NASCAR fans being accepting change but you don't want women in men's golf?Who has the "Mississippi" mentality there?That is just plain sexist.
You seem to have a lot of issues against this country.I take it your Canadian?If everything is so great about foreigners then why do Canadians treat their French speaking citizens so bad?Go back to Canada.Take your Toyota with you.

Excuse we don't treat our french speaking citizens bad. And we don't all hate Americans like all Americans don't hate Canadians. So get your head out of your ass and talk to me when your educated on the history on why Quebec relations are the way they are. 

Men and women compeating is completely different from two different MECHANICAL machines compeating. Maybe if the big 3 didn't churn of pos poor quality automobiles for the last 25 years then they wouldn't be having this problem now.

[Shakey]

M aybe someone should sell their Charger and buy a car that represents a world of happy unity instead of AMERICAN muscle.You rant on about NASCAR fans being accepting change but you don't want women in men's golf?Who has the "Mississippi" mentality there?That is just plain sexist.
You seem to have a lot of issues against this country.I take it your Canadian?If everything is so great about foreigners then why do Canadians treat their French speaking citizens so bad?Go back to Canada.Take your Toyota with you.

M aybe someone should sell their Charger and buy a car that represents a world of happy unity instead of AMERICAN muscle.

What kind of car would that be?

You rant on about NASCAR fans being accepting change but you don't want women in men's golf?Who has the "Mississippi" mentality there?That is just plain sexist.

You might need to re-read that whole paragraph.

You seem to have a lot of issues against this country.

Please point out what issues I have with the United States of America and I will be glad to address them.

I take it your Canadian?If everything is so great about foreigners then why do Canadians treat their French speaking citizens so bad?

Yes to the first question and with regards to the second question well....I don't know what to say diplomatically other than can you please re-phrase the question?  Before you do that I'll give you a bit of insight, despite what you may have read, the people of Quebec are still Canadians.

Go back to Canada.Take your Toyota with you.

I have never left and can't say I never will.  I'd probably enjoy year round warm weather, something that is not an option here in Canada.  Although I do not own a Toyota at this point in time, I can't say that I never will.  If I were in the market for Japanese car it would probably be a Nissan.

I am sorry hemihead if I offended you and hurt your feelings.  I was simply being the devils advocate.  Maybe I should have just asked the question:

What is so bad about Toyota racing in NASCAR?

[Ponch ®]

What is so bad about Toyota racing in NASCAR?

I dont know. I can see the "tradition" argument, but other than that I can't see what's so bad about it.

As far as NASCAR trying to pull in the ricer crowd - nonsense. Unless it's a Supra, most ricers don't even like Toyotas that much. Also, they go for the instant gratification - they don't have the patience nor the attention span necessary to watch a NASCAR race. That's why they gravitate towards stuff like drifting and drag racing. Honda and Toyota have been racing Indy/CART and F-1 for decades and I still don't see them having much of a ricer following. My favorites are the ricers who drive around in the Rally-Blue and Yellow Imprezas but have no idea who Peter Solsberg or Marcus Gronholm are.

[Shakey]

What is so bad about Toyota racing in NASCAR?

I dont know. I can see the "tradition" argument, but other than that I can't see what's so bad about it.

As far as NASCAR trying to pull in the ricer crowd - nonsense. Unless it's a Supra, most ricers don't even like Toyotas that much. Also, they go for the instant gratification - they don't have the patience nor the attention span necessary to watch a NASCAR race. That's why they gravitate towards stuff like drifting and drag racing. Honda and Toyota have been racing Indy/CART and F-1 for decades and I still don't see them having much of a ricer following. My favorites are the ricers who drive around in the Rally-Blue and Yellow Imprezas but have no idea who Peter Solsberg or Marcus Gronholm are.

I wouldn't know either one of those fellas if they walked up and kicked me in the nuts.

Did Solsberg play for the St. Louis Blues?   

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Japmobile - I have read many of your posts Vain and I never figured you'd use a word like that.  You live in Southern California not Southern Mississippi - correct?

Shakey, I hope you realize how stupidly ironic this statement is.  Let me rephrase.

"Look, everyone, at how tolerant I am.  Not like those wastes of life from Mississippi - they're all trash."


And for what it's worth, my family home is 100 miles from Mississippi - southern Mississippi, in fact.

[TruckDriver]

I just got this bit of news........

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Michael Waltrip has twice won the Great American Race. Now he'll be a pioneer in NASCAR's great Japanese experiment. A two-time Daytona 500 winner, Waltrip will own and drive for one of three teams that plan to field Toyota Camrys in NASCAR's top series starting in 2007. The other teams to run the series' first foreign cars in a half-century are Bill Davis Racing, a veteran of Cup competition, and Team Red Bull, already a big player in motorsports but a newcomer to NASCAR. All three will field two Camry drivers in the 2007 Nextel Cup series, Toyota officials announced Tuesday night. The Japanese auto maker is the first foreign manufacturer to supply cars for America's top stock car series since Jaguar ran in several races in the 1950s. Waltrip currently drives for Bill Davis racing, which will have to replace him after the upcoming season. The team's other driver, Dave Blaney, is slated to drive the Toyota in 2007.


AND...

Rusty Wallace, who only needed about two months to land a job in a new profession, became the first on-air hire by ESPN and ABC Sports when he was named lead auto racing analyst on Wednesday. His first assignment will be covering next month's Daytona 500 for ESPN's SportsCenter.

[MyMopar]

Boy I got a new name to call myself a DINK.  I always thought that meant something else.