Toyota debuts NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow + WALTRIP

This may be old news but kool news... ! :cool:


http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/news_story/?ID=174941&hubname=auto_racing

DO NOT FORGET TO SEE THE PICTURE. SEEING TOYOTA WRITTEN THERE IS AWESOME !!!!


BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) - Toyota made its first official on-track appearance Monday, with Bill Elliott, Michael Waltrip and Dave Blaney all piloting Camrys in NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow test at Michigan International Speedway.



ALSO................................

http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003122863



New executions in Toyota's Nascar-sponsorship campaign starring Darrell and Michael Waltrip break this weekend.

"[Darrell Waltrip] is the right guy for the job because he has such legitimacy," said Saatchi & Saatchi creative director Greg Braun. "He's one of the most popular personalities and he's loaned credibility to Toyota's racing efforts. So we created spots that played to his strengths and had an element of truth to them."

:D can't wait!!!!
NASCAR's appeal to me will go up 500% once toyota's in there.

A racing 2007+ Camry = hot. Check it out in full Car of Tomorrow form:

2007 Camry on Track (http://www.toyota.com/motorsports/pitpass/news/8_21_06_01.html)

I couldn 't stand NASCAR before...

2007.............. I shall have NASCAR posters all over my garage.... :D

I couldn 't stand NASCAR before...

2007.............. I shall have NASCAR posters all over my garage.... :D

Was it because of the racing itself or because only the Big 3 participated?

I can assure you the actual racing will be just as boring as ever.

Was it because of the racing itself or because only the Big 3 participated?

I can assure you the actual racing will be just as boring as ever.
Yup, especially when "the car of the future" bullshit comes to NASCAR. Hmmmm, a NASCAR with a ricer wing? That won't piss off 95% of the current fanbase :lol:

Don't expect big things from Toyota the first couple of years either. NASCAR is 1% car, 99% driver and crew. Right now, toyota doesn't have a single driver that's worth anything in their "stable." That will most likely change if they can get wins, but until then they have a group of drivers that have either never won a race, or have only won a race or two in the last 5 or 10 years.

Don't expect big things from Toyota the first couple of years either. NASCAR is 1% car, 99% driver and crew. Right now, toyota doesn't have a single driver that's worth anything in their "stable." That will most likely change if they can get wins, but until then they have a group of drivers that have either never won a race, or have only won a race or two in the last 5 or 10 years.
hmmm, I'm sure that's what most people thought beforehand when Toyota entered the Craftsman Truck series :rolleyes:

We shall see (the domestics getting their asses kicked) :cool:

hmmm, I'm sure that's what most people thought beforehand when Toyota entered the Craftsman Truck series :rolleyes:

We shall see (the domestics getting their asses kicked) :cool:
The truck series and car series have absolutely nothing to do with each other.

You obviously know NOTHING about NASCAR.

Feel free to check the driver standings of the DRIVERS toyota is going to use for '07.

The preliminary 2007 Toyota Cup Lineup::
Bill David Racing - 2/3 teams: #22-Dave Blaney, #36-Jeremy Mayfield, Bill Lester ?
Michael Waltrip Racing - 3 teams: #55-Waltrip, #?-Jarrett [UPS] and #00-BurgerKing/Dominos-no driver yet
Red Bull Racing - 2 teams; #83-Brian Vickers and un-numbers/no driver
Germain Racing - 1 part time team with Todd Bodine running some COT races

The highest ranked driver is Brian Vickers coming in at 18th place in points. Out of ALL the drivers toyota has signed up....

Wins this year: ZERO

Top 5's: 5

Top 10's: 8 (5 of which were due to top 5's)

Poles: ZERO

These numbers are TOTALED TOGETHER from 6 of the 7 drivers listed above. Todd Bodine is a truck series driver and has not driven in the cup series this year, no telling how he would do.

Brian Vickers is the only promising driver at the moment.

As I said before: DO NOT EXPECT BIG THINGS FROM TOYOTA THE FIRST FEW YEARS. I AM NOT A HATER. I KNOW NASCAR. Toyota entered the truck series basically when it began so ALL the mfgs were on a level playing ground. The cup series has been around for over 50 years. UNTIL toyota can get some QUALITY teams and drivers, don't expect anything in the W column for '07. As I said before and will say again. NASCAR is 1% car and 99% driver and team. They MAY have an advantage in that the "car of the future" will be new to all teams, but Toyota still has "crappy drivers." They need some real drivers who can win races. They don't currently have any. Vickers has potential, but he's still a youngin. We shall see :D

This is what I have to say:

MY WISH WAS FOR CAMRY TO ENTER NASCAR.
Just have Toyota anywhere on the planet makes it an interesting place for me... :D .. sorry the other manufacturers are just a toothpaste to me... THEY JUST EXIST around me.. :D
It may take TOYOTA CAMRY a while to be on top in NASCAR but that doesn't matter at this point because TOYOTA has just entered it. It takes time to build.

IN ANY CASE.................... I am and I can speak for the ""TRUE TOYOTA FANS"", a lot of people are happy about this... the driver may be lame.. it may be not a total TOYOTA representation on the track......... yea yea yea... ...................
BUT PEOPLE......................... THERE WILL BE A TOYOTA TEAM AT NASCAR.................... :clap:

After all it didn't take Toyota 1 year to conquer the US market... :rolleyes:
Let it take its time... and relax with the attitudes.... :D

This is what I have to say:

MY WISH WAS FOR TOYOTA TO ENTER NASCAR.
Just have Toyota anywhere on the planet makes it an interesting place for me... :D .. sorry the other manufacturers are just a toothpaste to me... THEY JUST EXIST around me.. :D
It may take TOYOTA a while to be on top in NASCAR but that doesn't matter at this point because TOYOTA has just entered it. It takes time to build.

IN ANY CASE.................... I am and I can speak for the ""TRUE TOYOTA FANS"", a lot of people are happy about this... the driver may be lame.. it may be not a total TOYOTA representation on the track......... yea yea yea... ...................
BUT PEOPLE......................... THERE WILL BE A TOYOTA TEAM AT NASCAR.................... :clap:

After all it didn't take Toyota 1 year to conquer the US market... :rolleyes:
Let it take its time... and relax with the attitudes.... :D
Where have you been? Toyota has been in NASCAR since 2004 :lol: :slap:

Yeah, I'm a smart ass, I can't help it, it's only my internet personality, I swear! :lol:

Where have you been? Toyota has been in NASCAR since 2004 :lol: :slap:

Yeah, I'm a smart ass, I can't help it, it's only my internet personality, I swear! :lol:


Dude... u misunderstood me... I was not referring to you....I LOVE YOU....... Hello? :confused: :lol:


By NASCAR I meant the CAMRY... Can u calm down?... LOL !

Was it because of the racing itself or because only the Big 3 participated?

I can assure you the actual racing will be just as boring as ever.


I assure you... You can stick the Toyota emblem on your behind and I will be kissing it... :lol:

The truck series and car series have absolutely nothing to do with each other.

You obviously know NOTHING about NASCAR.

Feel free to check the driver standings of the DRIVERS toyota is going to use for '07.

The preliminary 2007 Toyota Cup Lineup::
Bill David Racing - 2/3 teams: #22-Dave Blaney, #36-Jeremy Mayfield, Bill Lester ?
Michael Waltrip Racing - 3 teams: #55-Waltrip, #?-Jarrett [UPS] and #00-BurgerKing/Dominos-no driver yet
Red Bull Racing - 2 teams; #83-Brian Vickers and un-numbers/no driver
Germain Racing - 1 part time team with Todd Bodine running some COT races

The highest ranked driver is Brian Vickers coming in at 18th place in points. Out of ALL the drivers toyota has signed up....

Wins this year: ZERO

Top 5's: 5

Top 10's: 8 (5 of which were due to top 5's)

Poles: ZERO

These numbers are TOTALED TOGETHER from 6 of the 7 drivers listed above. Todd Bodine is a truck series driver and has not driven in the cup series this year, no telling how he would do.

Brian Vickers is the only promising driver at the moment.

As I said before: DO NOT EXPECT BIG THINGS FROM TOYOTA THE FIRST FEW YEARS. I AM NOT A HATER. I KNOW NASCAR. Toyota entered the truck series basically when it began so ALL the mfgs were on a level playing ground. The cup series has been around for over 50 years. UNTIL toyota can get some QUALITY teams and drivers, don't expect anything in the W column for '07. As I said before and will say again. NASCAR is 1% car and 99% driver and team. They MAY have an advantage in that the "car of the future" will be new to all teams, but Toyota still has "crappy drivers." They need some real drivers who can win races. They don't currently have any. Vickers has potential, but he's still a youngin. We shall see :D

Yeah, well Toyota's NCTS driver lineup wasn't very impressive either, but they sure did make stars out of them. Toyota knows racing, and they know NASCAR. In just 3 years, they're basically conquering NCTS. Granted, the level of competition is that much higher in Nextel Cup, and I think Toyota is looking forward to that. And NASCAR isn't 1% car. If your car is understeering mid-corner and you have to let off the gas, a car with a better setup will blow past you as you enter the straight. Car setup has a lot do to with the success of the top teams and drivers. Setup your car poorly, and you're in the back of the pack, even as a top driver until you can pit and make adjustments. That's just the way it is.

I don't expect much out of the first year, maybe one or two wins, but the next consecutive years will be interesting, no doubt. Once Toyota builds their name in Nextel Cup, you'll see some very brand loyal faces moving over.

And NASCAR isn't 1% car. If your car is understeering mid-corner and you have to let off the gas, a car with a better setup will blow past you as you enter the straight. Car setup has a lot do to with the success of the top teams and drivers. Setup your car poorly, and you're in the back of the pack, even as a top driver until you can pit and make adjustments. That's just the way it is.


:lol:

You made my point for me, thanks :thumbup: Exactly WHO sets up the car and makes adjustments during pitstops? The crew? The car doesn't adjust itself, and without a good driver to TELL the crew what's wrong, they can't fix it. Nascar has almost nothing to do with the car itself as it does the drivers and crew. You can take a car, win a race with it, take it to the exact same race next year, don't change the se-up, and get a 20th place finish. A good driver and good crew win races, not the car.

The drivers Toyota has added to their stables have shown over several years that they cannot competiviely compete in the cup series, with the exception of Vickers who appears to be an up and coming rookie. If toyota is to be competitve they need to lure some of the better teams/drivers into their stables. Lets bookmark this one for next year and see what happens ;)

Still, you can have a long green flag run and have to pit, putting yourself a lap or two down. I'm just saying it's more than 1%. That was a little too low for me.

Still, you can have a long green flag run and have to pit, putting yourself a lap or two down. I'm just saying it's more than 1%. That was a little too low for me.

Haha, I understand bud, no hard feelings, I made those numbers up to emphasize how important the driver/crew/and team are to the car, not just the car alone. You know, like "football is 90% mental, 10% physical"? Just my observations after watching NASCAR for over 15 years. I just find it ignorant that people think Toyota will all of a sudden dominate Nascar when the driver and team have more to do with a Win than anything else.

I am disappointed in "the car of the future." I know the cars "look a like" now, but I can still tell them apart. The car of the future will make all teams use the same car. What will even be the point of camry, fusion, charger, and monte carlo? Nascar might as well make them all use the same engine/tranny too. While we're at it, make everyone use the same set-up (I'm joking, I don't want this to happen.)

Now if this were back in the day, camry would HAVE to have a v-8 production car.... did you hear that Toyota? How about a V-8 camry???? :D (One can always hope, right?)

If the list of drivers is to be trusted (I havent heard confirmation of all of them), you have a former Cup champion in Jarret, a 3 time year-end top ten driver in Mayfield, a proven restrictor plate winner in Waltrip, and a solid up-and-comer in Vickers. Not a bad start to building teams. And as for previous NASCAR successes, the Tundra did not come along right at the beginning of the Craftsman Trcuk series. This is only their 3rd year, maybe 4th, and they are already dominating. Plus, in the late Goody's Dash series, Toyota had just begun to dominate when the plud was pulled on the series. They know what they're doing.

It kind of goes like this NASCAR = WOW Wrestling on wheels and TOYOTA = TRD Total racing domination. Don't worry if it is a slow start it will be a quick rise to the top.

HJust my observations after watching NASCAR for over 15 years. I just find it ignorant that people think Toyota will all of a sudden dominate Nascar when the driver and team have more to do with a Win than anything else.
Wow, if you're referring to me than I'm SO SORRY :rolleyes: Just because I don't watch NASCAR for over 15 years like you do, doesn't mean I don't watch all sorts of MOTORSPORT racing for the most part of my life. And aside from Porsche, it's very evident that whatever kinds of motorsport Toyota touches, Toyota usually wins and dominates (not initially of course), aside from Formula-1.
I'm sure you are one of those people who reckoned Toyota would have no chance in their first few years in NCTS, and I'm sure that type of thinking ended up biting you up the ass. I'm not naively saying that Toyota will come in and sweep away the wins in the first few years as if it's a walk in the park, all I'm saying is don't hold your breath if Toyota not being the up and comer is what you have in mind, because time and time again their willingness to win (and eventually winning and dominating) WILL prove you wrong.
We should just forego any predictive arguments, and just sit back and watch the show :cool:

Hey man, don't take anything you read on the internet as personal. Disagreeing on issues is what makes the internet fun and a good educational tool. If we all thought alike, what fun would that be? I'm nothing more than an IP address ;)

An interesting read:

[quote] Toyota has competed in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2003, and its Tundra came within 73 points of winning the title in 2005. After failing to record a victory in the season's first 11 races, Toyotas won nine of the final 14 events.

But Toyota said Monday that its Nextel Cup teams won't follow the pattern that made it so successful in the Craftsman Truck Series. Toyota always has heavily supported the teams financially and provided the same engineering help, and that will change in 2007.
Unlike Dodge in 2001, Toyota will not enter the sport by providing factory-sponsored teams. Its teams will be expected to find outside funding from existing or new sponsors.
Biffle said that the learning curve for teams is much steeper than in 2001, especially with some top teams simply struggling to win at the Nextel Cup level. [quote]


The article:

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/01/23/ford.toyota.reax/index.html

(yes, the article is definatly one sided, but there is some good information in it)
The cup series is VERY competitive. (Last year's champion didn't even make "the chase." this year) Gonna be fun to watch next year! :D

While true that Toyota's Cup teams will not be factory backed, it's still not such a huge issue. Why? TRD was heavily involved with the development of Toyota's "car of today" Camry. In fact, the final car design has already been approved by NASCAR, so that car's development is done. TRD is also currently heavily involved in Toyota's "car of tomorrow" Camry.

Besides, the teams have some solid experience and funding. Bill Davis racing, and Germain Racing are both experienced teams with decent funding. Furthermore, Red Bull and UPS are big sponsors, and should provide plentiful funding. UPS in particular sponsoring Waltrip's team should mean good funding, as Waltrip's team itself is pretty big. Did I mention Burger King and Domino's as sponsors as well?

If Toyota was fielding inexperienced teams, with some low ball sponsors, then a lot of the critics would have a point ... but that's not the case here.