Toyota Hits NASCAR

By Marty Bernstein
AIADA Contributing Editor

History will be made Sunday, February 18, when the famous words, “Drivers Start Your Engines!” are spoken. Four Toyota Camry NASCAR Nextel Cup racecars mark the brand’s entry into the sport’s biggest and most prestigious racing event.

Waiting for the green flap to drop are:

•David Reutimann in car 00 sponsored by Domino’s Pizza;

•Dave Blaney in car 22 sponsored by Caterpillar;

•Dale Jarrett in car 44 sponsored by UPS; and,

•Michael Waltrip in car 55 sponsored by NAPA.

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Earlier in the week, the Michael Waltrip team, which is running the Camry, received major sanctions for cheating as a “foreign substance” was found in the engine manifold of Waltrip’s Camry following inspection. Waltrip and two of his top team members were given one of the most severe penalties in NASCAR history.

Yet Waltrip was able to qualify for the race in a back-up car from the back of the pack in the qualifying races held Thursday afternoon.

When it was announced in late January 2006 that Toyota would enter NASCAR’s Nextel Cup and Busch Series, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France declared, "Toyota’s entry into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series is good for drivers, teams and the fans. This move provides for even more intense competition on the track between drivers and manufacturers, which will provide more excitement and fan interest. Toyota’s entry also provides more options for drivers and teams, which will increase the competition between manufacturers."

The Daytona 500 race, the first and most prestigious race of the Nextel Cup Series, also refered to as the "Great American Race," will be broadcast Sunday, February 18th with a 2:30 p.m. EST start time. The total prize money awarded at this year’s Daytona 500 race will be $18.4 million. The ultimate winner of the race stands to collect a minimum of $1.4 million.