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Toyota Motorsports Notes - Bristol - March 17, 2009


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CLOSE TO A FULL CUP: Three Toyota Camry drivers came close to taking the checkered flag at Bristol in 2008. Kyle Busch led 415 of 500 laps in the fall race before a mechanical problem took him out of contention for the victory. In the spring race, former Toyota driver Tony Stewart led 267 of 500 laps when a late-race incident ended his bid for the win. Denny Hamlin led 98 laps, before his Camry experienced a fuel pick-up issue that ended his chance for victory. In 2008, Camry drivers led 78 percent (780 laps of 1,000 total laps) of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) laps at Bristol.

TENNESSEE TROPHIES: Tundra drivers and NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) Camry drivers have found success in the state of Tennessee. With three race tracks located in the 'Volunteer State' -- Bristol Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway and Memphis Motorsports Park -- Toyota teams have earned a number of trophies in both Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series action. Tundra drivers have earned two wins and four poles at Memphis, and Camry drivers have one win and one pole at the three-quarter-mile track. At Nashville, Tundra racers have registered three wins and three poles, while Camry drivers have earned two poles at the track. Bristol has primarily been the site of success for Tundras -- with three wins and two poles -- but only a single Camry pole has been recorded there in NNS competition. Can Camry drivers achieve success at Bristol this year in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series?

COMPETITIVE CREW CHIEF: Rodney Childers started the 2009 season with a new team at Michael Waltrip Racing, but with a former fellow rival behind the wheel of his race car -- David Reutimann. Childers and Reutimann were on-track competitors 10 years ago at Kingsport Speedway in Tennessee. Reutimann was poised to record his first career NASCAR All-Pro Series pole before Childers took to the track and posted a better lap time -- knocking Reutimann from the top spot.

SHORT TRACK SYMPHONY: The races at Bristol Motor Speedway mark the first short track events of the season for both the NSCS and NNS drivers and teams. Camry drivers had mixed results on this type of circuit last year with Denny Hamlin scoring the only NSCS short track victory for a Camry driver at Martinsville Speedway in the spring.

TENNESSEE TIES: One Toyota driver who will be making his first start in a NNS Camry at Bristol calls Tennessee home. Burney Lamar, who will drive Braun Racing's No. 32 Camry at Bristol, lives with his family in Brentwood, Tenn. Three Camry team members also call Tennessee home. Brandon Thomas hails from Blountville, Tenn. and is the chief design and development engineer for the Red Bull Racing Team. A fellow Red Bull team member, Phil Jimenez, is an engineer for the No. 82 Camry of Scott Speed and is originally from Germantown, Tenn. Mike Ford, crew chief for the JGR No. 11 FedEx Camry for Denny Hamlin, is from Morristown, Tenn.

FAN FRIENDLY: The Toyota 'PitPass' exhibit will make its way to Bristol Motor Speedway for the weekend, providing fans with numerous interactive displays to enjoy while taking in the short track action. From simulators to water soluble tattoos, there is something for every fan. The 'PitPass' display also features a variety of production vehicles and games focused on the Toyota production facilities located throughout the United States.