Earnhardt Ganassi to Toyota?

Team Yates · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 05:47 AM

Earnhardt Ganassi to Toyota? So, what's the holdup in EGR's decision to remain with Chevy or move to Toyota? Perhaps it's the "E" in EGR. Can anyone really imagine the Earnhardt name associated with Toyota? Since Teresa Earnhardt is not at the racetrack on a weekly basis, that might be a tough answer to get. And with the current General Motors situation, Chevy is in no position to offer EGR a new and improved deal. Maybe Chip Ganassi believes delaying the decision will prevent the current engine builders from sabotaging the cars? But since Ganassi didn't want to answer the question of manufacturers on Sunday, what do we know? Richard Childress Racing's engine department which supplies motors for EGR was expecting a call on Friday from the Ganassi camp regarding their status for next season. It never came. Principals at EGR are expected to meet with Toyota again on Tuesday. EGR has had discussions with Joe Gibbs Racing about supplying engines for next season. Apparently Toyota Racing Development, which provides Michael Waltrip Racing and Red Bull Racing with engines, does not have the capacity at this time to be a supplier for EGR.(FoxSports)(11-3-2009)

Quality88 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 06:18 AM

Dale, we miss you.

jks812 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 07:13 AM

Never thought we'd see this. And if Dale was here we wouldn't, but he's not. I can understand it if they do go to Toyota. And if they do I will still pull for them to win races just like I do now, I don't care what manufacture they drive for.

loco4pablo · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jks812

Never thought we'd see this. And if Dale was here we wouldn't, but he's not. I can understand it if they do go to Toyota. And if they do I will still pull for them to win races just like I do now, I don't care what manufacture they drive for.

I agree, what do you expect them to do? Chevy (gm) can't give EGR a commitment. I know there will be people who will of course blame Teresa but it's GM that is jerking the chain here, so screw 'em go to Toyota

LSC9901 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:29 AM

Other than name plates and decals there is nothing Chevy, Ford, Dodge or Toyota about any of the cars in NASCAR. Try and buy those engines to put in your newly ordered car.

Miz+Zou · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:35 AM

The people making these choices need to think about what they are doing because they know Dale would never let them do this and just because they arent winning races they think switching to Toyota will help, listen to heart you know what Dale would do.

loco4pablo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miz+Zou

The people making these choices need to think about what they are doing because they know Dale would never let them do this and just because they arent winning races they think switching to Toyota will help, listen to heart you know what Dale would do.

I think you got it wrong, one of the reasons they (GM) is cutting support is because EGR isn't winning races! EGR isn't leaving for Toyota because they are not winning!! They are losing funding!
True this wouldn't happen if Dale were here because GM would never have left with Dale in the picture.
The other reason GM is pulling support from EGR is because it leaves more money for Rick Henderix to start up another Satellite team such as SHR. Believe me, if Chip Ganassi wanted to be under HMS control, he could still be in a chevy!

Bob Tanner · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:58 AM

Considering Chip's relationship with Toyota in IRL, this is no surprise. As far as TRD keeping MWR over Ganassi... That will last probably about a season. By 2012, unless NA__AR manages to turn itself around, It'll be Hendrick, and its satellite operations for Government Motors, Roush and its affiliates for Ford and Gibbs and Ganassi vying for the "Big Dog" title for Toyota.

As far as Dale Sr. "Rolling over in his grave..." He was a GM guy because GM had the winning ticket and GM was very, very good to both RCR AND Dale. They bought his well deserved loyalty, IMO.

But, I believe that Dale was a racer and if he thought GM wouldn't make him competitive as another make, he'd jump ship and go with a winner, even if it meant going with a "Rice Burner."

Does anyone remember the 2000-2001 off season? Remember when DEI expanded to three cars? Ron Hornaday Jr had been DEI's very successful BGN driver (2 wins, 6 T5 and 13 T10) and was obviously ready to move to Cup. He didn't have a sponsor but Mikey, who had floundered in Cup for years, had just signed a personal contract with NAPA. Ron got handed off to A.J. Foyt's second tier team and Mikey got the #15 DEI ride.

Dale was a great driver but he was a pragmatist and he'd do whatever it took, both on and off the track, to win. Loyalty doesn't always go well with that philosophy. I believe that if Toyota meant winning, Dale Sr. would jump in a second.

jks812 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

Believe me, if Chip Ganassi wanted to be under HMS control, he could still be in a chevy!

And I would much rather see them in a Toyota instead of as a satelite team for HMS.
And like LSC said other than decals they all drive the same car anyway.

OregonSHRFan · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 09:14 AM

There is also the engine business with Childress to consider.

Stewart Fan · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 04:11 PM

I don't have a problem with this because everyone can't be a Chevy. As far as Earnhardt goes, well Dale isn't here but who's to say he wouldn't have drove a Toyota? We don't know..........

bob101 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart Fan

I don't have a problem with this because everyone can't be a Chevy. As far as Earnhardt goes, well Dale isn't here but who's to say he wouldn't have drove a Toyota? We don't know..........

Exactly.

GM was good to Dale and Dale was good to GM.

But I know the man loved to race. I believe in crunch time he would have driven any car including a Toyota if that was the difference in racing and not racing and definetly if it was the difference in winning and not winning.

Bob Tanner · #13 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob101

Exactly.

GM was good to Dale and Dale was good to GM.

But I know the man loved to race. I believe in crunch time he would have driven any car including a Toyota if that was the difference in racing and not racing and definetly if it was the difference in winning and not winning.

Can I get an "AMEN!" to that?

Robertdjr · #14 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 11:50 AM

Other than wanting to see JPM win it all and upset Brian's convoluted chase, I've lost all interest in EGR. I just feel bad for Kerry and Jeffrey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob101

GM was good to Dale and Dale was good to GM.

But I know the man loved to race. I believe in crunch time he would have driven any car including a Toyota if that was the difference in racing and not racing and definetly if it was the difference in winning and not winning.

Right on! He proved that early in his career, when he would drive anything, just to race, including a Dodge, a Ford, a Buick, a Pontiac and an Oldsmobile.

nascaraddict · #15 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:13 PM

It'll never happen.

But I said that about JGR going the way of the Rice Burners. So, who knows?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode