Since Toyota entered NASCAR a little less than 10 years ago (the Goody’s Dash Series), many teams have made the transition to the Japanese automaker. This season saw Joe Gibbs Racing (and Hall of Fame) jump the Chevrolet ship, joining Bill Davis Racing, Team Red Bull Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing as the only teams competing in NASCAR’s premier series. As this season comes to an end, speculation now surrounds a possible move by Gillett Evernham Motorsports to Toyota; a move that would end a 10 year relationship with Dodge. Now, my point here is not to add my two cents to GEM’s situation, but instead, I wonder, is Toyota the answer for teams struggling with their present manufacturer?
From Robert Huffman’s first win at Kentucky Speedway to their first major championship with Todd Bodine, Toyota has experienced great success in a short amount of time. Despite this, their dominance throughout NASCAR has yet to take hold. While this season brought them their first Sprint Cup Series win, and their first shot at the Chase with Kyle Busch, no other driver has been particularly dominant.
Team Red Bull has struggled throughout the season as they worked to get the right people in place, and Michael Waltrip Racing has yet to find their groove. Even Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin have found it more difficult to win this season then in past years.
Without Kyle Busch, the prospects for Toyota this season would not have looked much different than in the years prior. Toyota’s once dominant lead in the manufacturer points has been severely cut down to just six point in the cup series, 41 in Nationwide and 12 in the truck series. This is in large part due to the drivers who now lead the points in each of their respective series, and who have become dominant over the last several weeks.
While Dodge’s motorsports program (going back to GEM) has its problems, I can’t say I think all of their issues lie there. The clear problem with Dodge’s program shows up at teams where the talent has struggled for whatever reason. That being said, GEM has really not looked too bad (with the exception of Patrick Carpentier). Elliott Sadler has two top-fives and eight top-10s. All in all this has been one of his better seasons. Likewise Kasey Kahne has three wins (if you count the All-Star race), four top-fives and 13 top-tens. He almost won the race at Lowes.
I’ll be honest, I don’t know if GEM is switching to Toyota next season. Only time will tell if that is true, however I wonder is switching manufacturers really the right thing to do? Why, just when you are beginning to find success, would you go and start from square one?
Throughout the last couple of seasons we have seen several teams join Toyota. While each had their own reasons for doing it, they all had to believe it was going to be better than their previous situation. That being said, is Toyota really the answer?
Subscribe to the Insiders
Related Posts:
Loading ...
on Oct 16th, 2008 at 3:37 am
remember when the standard 5k was paid to each top team for the best result at the track from ones manufacturer?
Then Ford raised the payout to 10 and even 15k,GM refused to budge and after the raised the payout ford had 3 cars to 1 on the track compared to GM .
I wonder what toyota is paying?
Hell, I have to wonder what the payout is now from GM,ford and dodge? I’m sure it’s nowhere near what the Toys are getting.
on Oct 16th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Teams need to transfer from Dodge as that company will be gone as we know it in rather short order. A good effort on Dodge’s racing side, but ultimately, the company has fail and will go away in total, or bit by bit. And sooner, than later.
Toyota will be the main player and hoping GM and Ford survice the next two years.
Mike
on Oct 16th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Why switch to Toyota? The answer is MONEY!!! Toyota has lots of it and isn’t afraid to spend it. Incidently, I wonder how much longer they will put up with MWR and their lousy performances in Sprint Cup racing. Maybe GEM will replace them.
on Oct 16th, 2008 at 11:03 am
For whatever reason Dodge has not been that competitive, aside from a handful of wins here and there.
As of last week GM was in talks to purchase Dodge. needless to say, it would be a smart idea for GEM to switch to toyota while the getting is good.
Like wise Ford has also been looking for a suitor !
I guess in the grand scheme of things Toyota might be the answer.However,I would hate to see a 43 car field of all Toyotas!!
on Oct 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Whether it be Toyota, Ford, Dodge or Chevy, I always wonder the reasoning behind NASCAR still running a push-rod motor. At least the BIG-3 “used to put ‘em in their street cars. Toyota never has and yet they still jumped in the game and are performing well. Toyota really had to “dumb down” to get in the circus.
Not to mention a rear wheel drive Camry, Charger, Malibu or Fusion (Taurus-or whatever they call it now). I can’t remember the last time I saw RWD in any of ‘em. It really would have been interesting if Cale Yarboroughs group of Trac- Car would have taken off. We’d be watching some really cool cars on Sunday (& Sat night).
on Oct 17th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Sure, let them all go to Toyota’s. Dodge is doomed, GM is right behind them soon to follow is Ford. The only choice we’ll have is Toyota’s and few other imports.
on Oct 17th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Check the financial pages; by this time next year Chrysler will no longer exist, sold in parts or whole to another company and not likely GM. Ford (the family, which collectively owns controlling share) will for reasons of ego file Chapter 11 before they sell. Toyota is the only company that has been moving with the US market for the last 15 years and hence has cash. The fact is that Toyota could buy both GM and Ford from last year’s retained earnings.
Racing is going to change, A LOT, in the next few years.
American LeMans Series is much more interesting, they have two teams running diesel cars, and Zytek will run an electric hybrid next year.
Meanwhile, NASCAR clings to naturally aspirated, push rod V8 engines, last seen in a production car when Jimmy Carter was in the White House. Even worse, NASCAR has taken the Cup series to the IROC route.
In 10 years I’ve gone from attending 4 or more NASCAR races a year, to attending none, to only watching on TV, to (now) seldom watching any NASCAR race,…. the reason in one word: BORING.
Hello, Daytona Beach, you have a problem.