[Tin Can]

Which car owners will get involved with Toyota for 07, or maybe drop there car and start a new Toyota team, I cannot anserw this ?,, oppinions wanted.

[sehja]

I can tell you this, down here in southern redneck hillbilly flag waving buy American country NO ONE wants Toyota in Craftsman - let alone Nascar. It's my very humble opinion whoever does jump to Toyota is going to have a rough time with their fans here in the south.

[GigEmAgs]

Originally Posted by sehja

I can tell you this, down here in southern redneck hillbilly flag waving buy American country NO ONE wants Toyota in Craftsman - let alone Nascar. It's my very humble opinion whoever does jump to Toyota is going to have a rough time with their fans here in the south.

Until they start winning. Then people will flock to them, just as they flocked to Japanese cars when they realize they got great gas mileage, lasted forever, and had good features. Not meaning to start an argument about the car industry...I understand the reality of unfair trade practices. My point is, fans are fickle, and if a team does well, I honestly don't think people will care about who made the car being driven. At least not after a while.

[Team Yates]

I worked at a Toyota dealership for 10+ years, and I can tell you almost every Toyota made today is made right here in the USA by American workers, one of the biggest plants is right in Kentucky. Beside that, NASCAR has already changed so many things, ie: tracks that couldn't "expand seating capacity", restrictor plates, the race for the chase, templates, etc.. The cars aren't the same either, now they are a "NASCAR template", so what if Toyota steps in to play? They are built here by us! I, myself can be a redneck, and I'm a die hard Ford fan! So what is the problem with Toyota joining the fun, are you afraid that they might win? I'm sure they will win, and I don't have a problem with it! They may have started as an import company, but they are here just as sure as Budweiser, Home Depot, etc.. I say: Good luck, Toyota! TRD : Toyota Racing Devolpment!!

[rave20]

Yeah I agree with the pro Toyota statements. Face it the ownership may be overseas but that's about all. By the way do you have any idea how many foreign brands are owned by, own or are in partnership with the big three automaker? I'm an american employed by an american company selling European automobiles. The parent company of these foreign vehicles owns one of the "redneck lovers" big three. Guess which one?

It's time to face facts too...the only thing truly Dodge, Chevy or whatever is the name on the decal and I think the engine block.

[rmjvol]

Ich bin ein NASCAR redneck

[Tin Can]

Look, you guys are getting off topic here, ? was do you think some team or teams will drop there current car and move to Toyota? Or who do you think will start a Toyota team?

[car99fan]

Well we know Michael Waltrip is starting a Toyota team. And Bill Davis Racing will be picking up toys in 07. Who else in CTS is running Toyota?

And what about guys like Robby Gordon, Stanton Barrett or Kirk Shelmerdine? How about Kenny Wallace? These are all guys I could see in a Toyota.

[rmjvol]

hehe, thanks, Tin Can, for keeping us in line

Do you really think that any successful current teams will jump ship to Toyota? I don't see that happening. I'd more expect it to be a new team or teams that have not had much success to be the ones to race for Toyota.

[Team Yates]

Sorry, didn't mean to get off the subject, the answers to the questions : YES, I do believe some teams will change to Toyota. Some teams have already ran every manufacturer's car! It's a little early to say who might, but right now : I bet Penske switches to Toyota.

[car99fan]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

I bet Penske switches to Toyota.

Oh you might be right! Dodge hasn't been working out real well for them (or anybody else for that matter.)

[rave20]

I know Robert Yates has been a staple with Ford for a long time but with Roush taking the lead in the Ford camp wonder if the right $$ and tech support might woo Yates to Toyota??

And less likely but same type of scenario with Hendrick, and DEI taking the lead at Chevy, I wonder if Childress or Gibbs could be persuaded to jump?? Likely not in the first year but when contracts expire?

$$$$$$ Talks!!

[Team Yates]

I'm a long time YATES fan, I wouldn't be opposed to it, if he switched over to Toyota. The dream has always been to have a "phat" Mustang powered by YATES, but I'd take a Camry powered by YATES! At present time I don't even have a "phat" Mustang (or 1 of any shape)! But, I do have a Camry, I have 1/2 the battle won. I wonder how I could convince to do a motor swap for me? Either way, I'll still be a die hard Ford fan, it's deep rooted.

[sehja]

I've got no doubt in my mind at least 2 or 3 of the "small money" teams will jump ship and grab Toyota. It's going to be difficult to turn down that boatload of money Toyota will cough up in the beginning just to get the cars out there.

BTW - never meant Toyota is a BAD thing - I actually work for a Toyota Dealership. I'm just saying in this part of the woods there's going to be some resistance when it comes to NASCAR. Sorry I made that sound like a "foreign cars stink" post.

[GigEmAgs]

Originally Posted by sehja

Sorry I made that sound like a "foreign cars stink" post.

I don't think you did, really...probably my post after yours contributed to that perception. In any case, I'm wondering how much money Toyota has to wave around? If they want to spend a lot of money, I think they could attract someone big (or on the poised of being so) in a hurry. If that happened, they could go shooting up the ranks pretty quick -- kind of a racing version of the Florida Marlins a few years back. Of course, it might be best to attract some of the better newbies and build up a great team over the course of years, let them mature together, and go from there. That would probably get them a better team in the long run, one that would stay at its peak longer.

As for who they might get, I haven't a clue.