[Lefty Noob]

Okay, so the Daytona 500 was the first big race for Toyota. So how did they do in their debut? The top Toyota finisher was Dale Jarrett (22nd), followed by Michael Waltrip (30th), Dave Blaney (34th) and David Reutimann (40th). So how would you rank their performance on Sunday?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Okay, so the Daytona 500 was the first big race for Toyota. So how did they do in their debut? The top Toyota finisher was Dale Jarrett (22nd), followed by Michael Waltrip (30th), Dave Blaney (34th) and David Reutimann (40th). So how would you rank their performance on Sunday?

For the type of race and the manufacturers experience I guess they did OK. I didn't expect to much from Jarrett due to his (Sorry guys) age. Mikey just isn't that good. Blaney did run better than his finish and Reutimann just needs time before a good assessment can be made.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

For the type of race and the manufacturers experience I guess they did OK. I didn't expect to much from Jarrett due to his (Sorry guys) age.

*SIGH* If the race is any indication the year looks like a long one.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

For the type of race and the manufacturers experience I guess they did OK. I didn't expect to much from Jarrett due to his (Sorry guys) age. Mikey just isn't that good. Blaney did run better than his finish and Reutimann just needs time before a good assessment can be made.

Blaney possibly would have had a much higher finish (maybe a top fifteen?) but NASCAR was less than impressed with his 180MPH run down pit road. They were going to give him a five lap penalty but (SPECULATION ALERT! Possibility of being offended. Read on only at your own peril!) since his car owner's name isn't Hendrick, Roush, Gibbs, Childress or Earnhardt (car owners whose cars I have seen pull similar stunts numerous times) Dave was benched for the remainder of the race.

This possibly opens another entire discussion about NASCAR and favouritism, but since Dave Blaney doesn't sell a lot of over-priced tee shirts, ball caps, or toy cars, very few will actually care.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

For the type of race and the manufacturers experience I guess they did OK. I didn't expect to much from Jarrett due to his (Sorry guys) age. Mikey just isn't that good. Blaney did run better than his finish and Reutimann just needs time before a good assessment can be made.

Looked at as a race weekend, I'd guess they would have to be quite pleased. In the trucks they continued to lead the way. In Busch - 2 out of the top 5 finishers in their first ever Busch race and all that tried to qualify for the Busch race made it in.

In the Cup race, the only reason all that tried to qualify did not get in was due to the "team orders" to Marlin to "back up" to get his dismally running team mates (2 if memory serves) in. Lord that was disgusting. Points racing in reverse? Poor does not begin to describe.

[Quality88]

Now Now Bob, Na$car doesn't play favorites.... just ask Hendrick... he'll tell you straight up.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Looked at as a race weekend, I'd guess they would have to be quite pleased. In the trucks they continued to lead the way. In Busch - 2 out of the top 5 finishers in their first ever Busch race and all that tried to qualify for the Busch race made it in..

Did you notice the number of Dodges (the truck which ruled CTS only 3-4 years ago) started the race? If you didn't I'll give you a hint; you can count them on two fingers. What odds do you give me this won't happen in Cup within 4-5 years, in one form or another?

Originally Posted by wingkey1

In the Cup race, the only reason all that tried to qualify did not get in was due to the "team orders" to Marlin to "back up" to get his dismally running team mates (2 if memory serves) in. Lord that was disgusting. Points racing in reverse? Poor does not begin to describe.

NA$CAR keeps getting closer and closer to it's spaghetti-twirling cousin, F-1, doesn't it? I wonder when they'll want to change the name to Formula NASCAR, Formula NexTel, or some other catchy title?