[clutch]

Heres a question for all of you who dont believe that Toyota should be racing in the Nextel Cup.

Are the drivers of these Toyotas traitors in your eyes for dragging the sport into disrepute and for the ruination of a great American Institution?

I cant help but mention Quality88 who is obviously a Jarrett fan.....and I've read his quote that Toyota doesnt belong in cup racing

Now these are conflicting ideals to have your favourite driver...in a TOYOTA, and I couldnt help but feel a little peeved.

Surely some of you must feel like Waltrip, Jarrett, Vickers, Mayfield etc are traitors.......add your thoughts

[wingkey1]

Yes .......

[Quality88]

Yes Clutch Jarrett is my favorite driver and yes he will be drivin a damn Yota. I don't like it, but unfortunately it's happening whether I like it or not. Do i think he's a traitor.... Somewhat Yes. He's helpin Toyota come in. I'm not gonna ever like it. He also was lookin at his future and in his eyes it was in his best interest for ownership and so forth. That's why I've always said it would be bittersweet for me any success he may have. Happy he does good, but hatin the fact that Yota is doin good. I like Dale Jarrett not Toyota. Bittersweet

[wingkey1]

Was just watching news with segment from Detroit auto show. Two briefs included short segments of interviews with top executives from Ford and GM.

The Ford executive (CEO I believe) indicated he viewed Toyota as "the best" and that Ford will have to learn from them in order to become better in the future. In light of recent announcement that Ford would be letting 45,000 go, seems there's a bit of learning to do.

The GM executive was asked to respond to industry experts predictions that Toyota would surpass GM in total worldwide sales (units). Best he could do was to weakly respond that they (GM) were not just going to let them do it. Seemed more an acknowledgement that the industry experts were correct than a "no friggin way".

So -- traitors or savvy? You pretty much would have to vote on the side of savvy. Simply cannot see Ford or GM making investments in racing programs comparable to others (Toyota) when they are clearly on the ropes and, in the case of Ford, in awe of Toyotas success.

[LSC9901]

As always it is a matter of perception. I certainly don't want to irritate "Q" but I've said it before and I'll say it again in respect to Jarrett. First off I like Dale but I believe he is past his prime and is looking for financial security with the chance of being in on a new generation of race teams. Most of the new Toyota drivers are less than stellar drivers. Michael Waltrip would have been nothing without DEI. He was nothing before and has done even less since leaving DEI. Vickers remains somewhat of an unknown. The others are as I noted ... less than stellar but could prove to be the up and coming if Toyota really does come through for the team in the technology department.

Like any professional athlete today it is a business for them. There is very little loyalty these days to teams/owners. If more money is offered you're probably gone.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Yes Clutch Jarrett is my favorite driver and yes he will be drivin a damn Yota. I don't like it, but unfortunately it's happening whether I like it or not. Do i think he's a traitor.... Somewhat Yes. He's helpin Toyota come in. I'm not gonna ever like it. He also was lookin at his future and in his eyes it was in his best interest for ownership and so forth. That's why I've always said it would be bittersweet for me any success he may have. Happy he does good, but hatin the fact that Yota is doin good. I like Dale Jarrett not Toyota. Bittersweet

Appreciate your candid, honest answer Q88. I know that I often rark you guys up for not accepting todays Nascar, but I'm not too keen on change myself......however it is a fact of life

I think Toyota will be in the chase THIS year

[clutch]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Most of the new Toyota drivers are less than stellar drivers.

Like any professional athlete today it is a business for them.

There is some talent amongst them LSC...but you're right its all business

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by clutch

There is some talent amongst them LSC...but you're right its all business

Sad as it might be for the older generation of fans .... it is the way it is.

Originally Posted by clutch

Appreciate your candid, honest answer Q88. I know that I often rark you guys up for not accepting todays Nascar, but I'm not too keen on change myself......however it is a fact of life

I think Toyota will be in the chase THIS year

I suspect you are correct about the chase. Toyota has a lot to prove this year and if they end up in 10th place at least they can say that they made it to the playoffs.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Toyota has a lot to prove this year and if they end up in 10th place at least they can say that they made it to the playoffs.

It will make things interesting thats for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by clutch

It will make things interesting thats for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform.

I think we all are. I'm not wishing Toyo bad luck, but I don't wish, hope and pray for good luck either.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I think we all are. I'm not wishing Toyo bad luck, but I don't wish, hope and pray for good luck either.

I don't believe Toyota is even figuring luck into the equation, Steve. It was reported on SIRIUS that, in addition to on-board computers and all the Toyota NASCAR team engioneers down in Daytona this past week, Toyota also had almost their entire complement F1 and F3 TTE (Toyota team Europe) factory techs from Koln there also.

That, my friends is some SERIOUS competition for GM, Ford and Daimler-Benz/Chrysler.

[LSC9901]

Curses to you Bob !!! The news you report is making my nightmares come true. I guess if you're gonna do it, you might as well do it right.

[clutch]

2007 has the makings for a VERY interesting year

[Quality88]

Grumble, Toyota, Grumble

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Grumble, Toyota, Grumble

Can we take that as a negative response to Toyota. Dustin?