Toyota Moving Into NASCAR Nextel Cup

Dr.Feelgood · 01-20-2006, 08:15 AM

"Toyota is expected to announce its move from the Craftsman Truck Series into competing with cars in NASCAR on Tuesday evening during the Lowe's Motor Speedway Media Tour."

Hmmm...Camry?...Avalon? This will be quite interesting and very cool. Look how the trucks started dominating at the end of the season last year.

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/head...est/index.html

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bob200587 · 01-20-2006, 08:25 AM

sweeeeeeeet...

stevrock · 01-20-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob200587

sweeeeeeeet...

JHupp · 01-20-2006, 12:14 PM

yeah, what car brand will they be using, any word yet? Im thinking celica, but just a guess

stevrock · 01-20-2006, 12:58 PM

Supra

EWAYota · 01-20-2006, 01:41 PM

Hmmmm.........

Wonder which owners are going to bring in a couple Toyota's into they're stables. Intresting to see Petty testing one, but the way things have been going for him in his career, anythings worth a shot. Be nice to see him dial the Toyota in and get up to the front for a while.

Now, anyone know whos building the engines for the Toyota teams?

On a side note: Mark Martins testing times in his '06 Craftsman Truck have been stellar! This is gonna be exciting for all Mark Martin fans with him running Truck, Busch and Nextel. Hopefully he leaves the ring on top.

Dr.Feelgood · 01-20-2006, 01:46 PM

I think they have to run a 'full size' car, ie. Dodge Intrepid, Chevy Monte Carlo. I see Ford has had the Fusion on the track too. Regardless which car they use, it will only be a matter of time before they become competitive and maybe dominate a little.

As was in Indy, Toyota has deep pockets and is into the racing aspect deep also. There was an interview with Todd Bodine a couple months ago about it and he said they share all the testing info, etc., something he said the other manufacturers don't do. I'll see if I can find a link to it.

EWAYota · 01-20-2006, 01:49 PM

The only thing that have to worry about it is what aero packages Nascar is going to mandate to keep the playing field level. The bottom line comes down to who's behind the wheel and what they can pack under the hood.

Dr.Feelgood · 01-20-2006, 01:52 PM

Here's the link to the Bodine interview:
http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/feat....conversation/

Hopefully Martin will get a win in the Nextel car, maybe even the Championship. Too bad he's not driving Toyota trucks!
Not sure about the engines.

Dr.Feelgood · 01-20-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWAYota

The only thing that have to worry about it is what aero packages Nascar is going to mandate to keep the playing field level. The bottom line comes down to who's behind the wheel and what they can pack under the hood.

They'll probably be able to pack a lot under the hood. It seemed to take a little while with the trucks with some actual racing performance to get it all together, therefore the results in the latter half of the season. I was actually surprised when I started seeing Bodine up there with poles and top-5 finishes. But Skinner and a few others started joining the mix near the end too. They might have pulled off a Championship given a few more races. They finished 3rd (Bodine), 5th (Skinner), 8th (Sprague) and 10th (Benson) in the standings. And Bodine was only 73pts out of 1st.

THUNDER CLOUD · 01-20-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWAYota

Hmmmm.........

Wonder which owners are going to bring in a couple Toyota's into they're stables. Intresting to see Petty testing one, but the way things have been going for him in his career, anythings worth a shot. Be nice to see him dial the Toyota in and get up to the front for a while.

Now, anyone know whos building the engines for the Toyota teams?

On a side note: Mark Martins testing times in his '06 Craftsman Truck have been stellar! This is gonna be exciting for all Mark Martin fans with him running Truck, Busch and Nextel. Hopefully he leaves the ring on top.

As far as owners I would be really shocked if Bill Davis Racing didn't go with Toyota in 07. Mickey W moved to Bill Davis and brother DW has ties with Toyota. Gotta watch the Davis org for this one.

As far as the Petty's...Just picked up Bobbie Labonte...HUMMMM...Bobbie leaves Joe Gibbs for the Petty org?

IMO Toyota won't do this without at least a solid 3 owner field. Car counts will be up to owners (2 or more) but there needs to be at least a three owner count.

I think there will be a suprise in this one. I believe there may be a Major Player going with Toyota in 07...Just can't figure out which one yet.

EWAYota · 01-20-2006, 06:12 PM

Well, if Petty Int. goes with Toyota, I wouldn't be suprised. I too was supirsed to see Labonte with Petty, but I think it will be a good thing for the Petty team, as Labonte still runs well in the Cup Series, and Petty in general has been struggling, so even to have one guy finishing in the top 15 on a reg. basis would be a good thing.

Trying to figure out who is gonna switch over to Toyota's will be instresting, and you are right, BDR could very well jump over. Having M. Waltrip owning his own car as well, he could head that way as well.

Plenty of time for the teams to jockey around, first things first, get the testing out of the way. Once thats done, you'll see some of the lower stacked teams looking for a change.

THUNDER CLOUD · 01-20-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWAYota

Well, if Petty Int. goes with Toyota, I wouldn't be suprised. I too was supirsed to see Labonte with Petty, but I think it will be a good thing for the Petty team, as Labonte still runs well in the Cup Series, and Petty in general has been struggling, so even to have one guy finishing in the top 15 on a reg. basis would be a good thing.

Trying to figure out who is gonna switch over to Toyota's will be instresting, and you are right, BDR could very well jump over. Having M. Waltrip owning his own car as well, he could head that way as well.

Plenty of time for the teams to jockey around, first things first, get the testing out of the way. Once thats done, you'll see some of the lower stacked teams looking for a change.

There has to be a MAJOR $$$ team in the works here. Toyota won't go with a Two Owner Field...IMO BDR isn't strong enough to carry the the brunt of the Lead team...They won't make the change without a MAJOR team Joining...I see BDR as being the #2 team. 2006 plans...make future #2 and #3 teams test and get all in order...Announce #1 team sometime next summer.

EWAYota · 01-20-2006, 07:30 PM

Thing is though, your major teams are: Roush, DEI, Ganassi, Hendrick, Gibbs and Childress. Not seeing any of those change, possibly Ganassi, but the others I dont think would. Maybe I'm wrong. Roush, DEI and Hendricks for sure won't, Gibbs and Childress I would imagine they would stay put as well.

Here are my team choices for changing:

Robert Yates Racing
Petty Enterprises
Penske (possibly)
Kirk Shelmerdine Racing
Mach One Inc.
Front Row Motorsports
Evernham Motorsports

All of those aren't that big, Evernham possibily being the largest, becoming No. 1, but I don't really see them as being major teams.....compared to the top teams, I don't.

What teams own the Toyota trucks in the truck series? With Nascar limiting the number of cars down to 4 per team, hoping for more level playing surface (not having all 5 Roush cars in the Chase), they were also hoping that the rule would also allow new teams to move in.....Maybe the Toyota truck teams would start a Nextel side too???

THUNDER CLOUD · 01-20-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWAYota

Thing is though, your major teams are: Roush, DEI, Ganassi, Hendrick, Gibbs and Childress. Not seeing any of those change, possibly Ganassi, but the others I dont think would. Maybe I'm wrong. Roush, DEI and Hendricks for sure won't, Gibbs and Childress I would imagine they would stay put as well.

Here are my team choices for changing:

Robert Yates Racing
Petty Enterprises
Penske (possibly)
Kirk Shelmerdine Racing
Mach One Inc.
Front Row Motorsports
Evernham Motorsports

All of those aren't that big, Evernham possibily being the largest, becoming No. 1, but I don't really see them as being major teams.....compared to the top teams, I don't.

What teams own the Toyota trucks in the truck series? With Nascar limiting the number of cars down to 4 per team, hoping for more level playing surface (not having all 5 Roush cars in the Chase), they were also hoping that the rule would also allow new teams to move in.....Maybe the Toyota truck teams would start a Nextel side too???

I agree...there is a limited number of big $$$ teams. You can take RYR out of the mix...They are knee deep in building the Ford Motor Program.

I'm still thinking there is a major player here yet to be announced...

This is my prediction ...

Ray Evernham motorsports switches from the Dodge in 2007 to become
#1 TOYOTA Team in 2007

I look for Bill Davis Racing to be the #2 team...I think this one is pretty much a slam dunk at this point.

I think the Petty Org will be the third team for Toyota...

Funny how we both came up with Evernham...Hummmm...points to chin.

EWAYota · 01-21-2006, 03:01 AM

I totally agree. But......Looking at the names we threw out, They all have one thing in common......DODGE.
That alone would take 7 cars out of the Dodge line up. I would possibly expect a Chevy based team to swap, but who? Possibly Front Row Motorsports? Thats 4 right there.

One little FYI on Craftsman Truck teams, Bill Davis Racing has 3 of the 9 Toyota trucks from '05.

Dr.Feelgood · 01-21-2006, 05:30 AM

I agree with you guys about BDR. He's been tight with Toyota since the inception into the trucks. Remember the controversy about him running a Toyota motor in one of his Dodge trucks in testing and Dodge pulled their support? I'm not sure about Evernham switching from Dodge. He was the main driving force behind their return to Nascar and has close ties to them. Petty is close to Dodge too. This will be interesting to see who they actually are.

THUNDER CLOUD · 01-21-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Feelgood

I agree with you guys about BDR. He's been tight with Toyota since the inception into the trucks. Remember the controversy about him running a Toyota motor in one of his Dodge trucks in testing and Dodge pulled their support? I'm not sure about Evernham switching from Dodge. He was the main driving force behind their return to Nascar and has close ties to them. Petty is close to Dodge too. This will be interesting to see who they actually are.

I went out on a limb with Evernham but as one of you guy's mentioned above Toyota has DEEP pockets. I wouldn't completely rule out the Penske Org either. My gut feeling is that there will be a Major team make the switch. We can sit and talk about this all day but until it happens we just have to wait and see. It's kind of fun to do the "what if" thing though.

Thanks Dr.Feelgood for posting the thread in my Withdrawal period...kinda gets the excitement going for the 06 season to start. Any you guy's going to any races next year?

stevrock · 01-21-2006, 11:20 AM

Evernham's team is only relativly new isn't it? I couldn't really see them jumping ship this quick.

THUNDER CLOUD · 01-21-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevrock

Evernham's team is only relativly new isn't it? I couldn't really see them jumping ship this quick.

Evernham Motorsports was founded in 1999...And you are probably 100% correct. A lot of this will come down to who is happy with the factory backup and who is not...let's not forget the $$$ Toyota will pony up to change over.

01-20-2006, 08:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
bob200587 Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 3,508	sweeeeeeeet... __________________ <===This picture is me and my 4runner when I was about 4 years old. 87 4runner 4x4 SR5 22RE ARB Bull Bar, 31X10.50 Mastercraft M/T's, Stock 4.10 Gears, Flowmaster Muffler, LCE Header AISIN Manual Hubs, Marlin Crawler Sliders Dead motor 3.4 swap or something else to come

01-20-2006, 12:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
JHupp Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,163	yeah, what car brand will they be using, any word yet? Im thinking celica, but just a guess __________________ Jason '01 Toyota 4Runner Sport 265/75/16 BFG ATs, OME 881s w/ spacers front, OME 891s rear, SS roll bar, and some other stuff.

01-20-2006, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
EWAYota Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richland, Washington Posts: 4,587	Hmmmm......... Wonder which owners are going to bring in a couple Toyota's into they're stables. Intresting to see Petty testing one, but the way things have been going for him in his career, anythings worth a shot. Be nice to see him dial the Toyota in and get up to the front for a while. Now, anyone know whos building the engines for the Toyota teams? On a side note: Mark Martins testing times in his '06 Craftsman Truck have been stellar! This is gonna be exciting for all Mark Martin fans with him running Truck, Busch and Nextel. Hopefully he leaves the ring on top. __________________ DJ 1994 Pickup, 22re, Engnbldr 261 cam, 5 speed. Tires that go around and around... Preping for SAS, marlin hysteer, dual elockers, dual case (stock gears) with marlin adapter and Sky crossmember, TG Sliders, 37 mtr's on black 17x8 soft 8's...... 1990 4runner SR5, 22re, auto....baby mobile

01-20-2006, 01:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dr.Feelgood Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N4327.220', W7630.330' Posts: 313	I think they have to run a 'full size' car, ie. Dodge Intrepid, Chevy Monte Carlo. I see Ford has had the Fusion on the track too. Regardless which car they use, it will only be a matter of time before they become competitive and maybe dominate a little. As was in Indy, Toyota has deep pockets and is into the racing aspect deep also. There was an interview with Todd Bodine a couple months ago about it and he said they share all the testing info, etc., something he said the other manufacturers don't do. I'll see if I can find a link to it. __________________ '90 4Runner SR5 22RE 5spd 4x4, Pacesetter header & downpipe, Magnaflow 18" oval, 2.25" pipes, Rock Crawler 51 15x8 Steel Wheels, Pro Comp 33x12.5 ATs, Aisin Hub Swap, 2" BL, Energy Suspension Mounts/Bushings, K&N Filter, Accel Coil, NGK Iridium Plugs & Blue Wires, Toyota Brush Guard, Allpro Offroad Rear Bumper w/ 2" receiver, SB SureSteps, Whiteface Glow Gauges, Husky Liners, New Front Fenders, Radiator

01-20-2006, 01:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
EWAYota Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richland, Washington Posts: 4,587	The only thing that have to worry about it is what aero packages Nascar is going to mandate to keep the playing field level. The bottom line comes down to who's behind the wheel and what they can pack under the hood. __________________ DJ 1994 Pickup, 22re, Engnbldr 261 cam, 5 speed. Tires that go around and around... Preping for SAS, marlin hysteer, dual elockers, dual case (stock gears) with marlin adapter and Sky crossmember, TG Sliders, 37 mtr's on black 17x8 soft 8's...... 1990 4runner SR5, 22re, auto....baby mobile

01-20-2006, 01:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dr.Feelgood Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N4327.220', W7630.330' Posts: 313	Here's the link to the Bodine interview: http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/feat....conversation/ Hopefully Martin will get a win in the Nextel car, maybe even the Championship. Too bad he's not driving Toyota trucks! Not sure about the engines. __________________ '90 4Runner SR5 22RE 5spd 4x4, Pacesetter header & downpipe, Magnaflow 18" oval, 2.25" pipes, Rock Crawler 51 15x8 Steel Wheels, Pro Comp 33x12.5 ATs, Aisin Hub Swap, 2" BL, Energy Suspension Mounts/Bushings, K&N Filter, Accel Coil, NGK Iridium Plugs & Blue Wires, Toyota Brush Guard, Allpro Offroad Rear Bumper w/ 2" receiver, SB SureSteps, Whiteface Glow Gauges, Husky Liners, New Front Fenders, Radiator

01-20-2006, 06:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
EWAYota Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richland, Washington Posts: 4,587	Well, if Petty Int. goes with Toyota, I wouldn't be suprised. I too was supirsed to see Labonte with Petty, but I think it will be a good thing for the Petty team, as Labonte still runs well in the Cup Series, and Petty in general has been struggling, so even to have one guy finishing in the top 15 on a reg. basis would be a good thing. Trying to figure out who is gonna switch over to Toyota's will be instresting, and you are right, BDR could very well jump over. Having M. Waltrip owning his own car as well, he could head that way as well. Plenty of time for the teams to jockey around, first things first, get the testing out of the way. Once thats done, you'll see some of the lower stacked teams looking for a change. __________________ DJ 1994 Pickup, 22re, Engnbldr 261 cam, 5 speed. Tires that go around and around... Preping for SAS, marlin hysteer, dual elockers, dual case (stock gears) with marlin adapter and Sky crossmember, TG Sliders, 37 mtr's on black 17x8 soft 8's...... 1990 4runner SR5, 22re, auto....baby mobile

01-20-2006, 07:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
EWAYota Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richland, Washington Posts: 4,587	Thing is though, your major teams are: Roush, DEI, Ganassi, Hendrick, Gibbs and Childress. Not seeing any of those change, possibly Ganassi, but the others I dont think would. Maybe I'm wrong. Roush, DEI and Hendricks for sure won't, Gibbs and Childress I would imagine they would stay put as well. Here are my team choices for changing: Robert Yates Racing Petty Enterprises Penske (possibly) Kirk Shelmerdine Racing Mach One Inc. Front Row Motorsports Evernham Motorsports All of those aren't that big, Evernham possibily being the largest, becoming No. 1, but I don't really see them as being major teams.....compared to the top teams, I don't. What teams own the Toyota trucks in the truck series? With Nascar limiting the number of cars down to 4 per team, hoping for more level playing surface (not having all 5 Roush cars in the Chase), they were also hoping that the rule would also allow new teams to move in.....Maybe the Toyota truck teams would start a Nextel side too??? __________________ DJ 1994 Pickup, 22re, Engnbldr 261 cam, 5 speed. Tires that go around and around... Preping for SAS, marlin hysteer, dual elockers, dual case (stock gears) with marlin adapter and Sky crossmember, TG Sliders, 37 mtr's on black 17x8 soft 8's...... 1990 4runner SR5, 22re, auto....baby mobile

01-21-2006, 03:01 AM	#16 (permalink)
EWAYota Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richland, Washington Posts: 4,587	I totally agree. But......Looking at the names we threw out, They all have one thing in common......DODGE. That alone would take 7 cars out of the Dodge line up. I would possibly expect a Chevy based team to swap, but who? Possibly Front Row Motorsports? Thats 4 right there. One little FYI on Craftsman Truck teams, Bill Davis Racing has 3 of the 9 Toyota trucks from '05. __________________ DJ 1994 Pickup, 22re, Engnbldr 261 cam, 5 speed. Tires that go around and around... Preping for SAS, marlin hysteer, dual elockers, dual case (stock gears) with marlin adapter and Sky crossmember, TG Sliders, 37 mtr's on black 17x8 soft 8's...... 1990 4runner SR5, 22re, auto....baby mobile

01-21-2006, 05:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
Dr.Feelgood Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N4327.220', W7630.330' Posts: 313	I agree with you guys about BDR. He's been tight with Toyota since the inception into the trucks. Remember the controversy about him running a Toyota motor in one of his Dodge trucks in testing and Dodge pulled their support? I'm not sure about Evernham switching from Dodge. He was the main driving force behind their return to Nascar and has close ties to them. Petty is close to Dodge too. This will be interesting to see who they actually are. __________________ '90 4Runner SR5 22RE 5spd 4x4, Pacesetter header & downpipe, Magnaflow 18" oval, 2.25" pipes, Rock Crawler 51 15x8 Steel Wheels, Pro Comp 33x12.5 ATs, Aisin Hub Swap, 2" BL, Energy Suspension Mounts/Bushings, K&N Filter, Accel Coil, NGK Iridium Plugs & Blue Wires, Toyota Brush Guard, Allpro Offroad Rear Bumper w/ 2" receiver, SB SureSteps, Whiteface Glow Gauges, Husky Liners, New Front Fenders, Radiator

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