In an interview with ESPN last week, team owner Felix Sabates brought up the idea, among others, of new manufacturers entering the sport. More specifically he brought up the idea of Honda joining the sport. Now neither he nor I are suggesting that this is going to happen, but I wonder, why not?
With the very real financial crisis striking the hearts and pocket books of American automakers, priorities are going to be shifted. We have already seen Dodge and Ford pull all or some their support from the Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series. The Sprint Cup Series still remains a priority for both organizations, but with teams rumored to be jumping ship, the position of Dodge specifically may not be so great.
General Motors has yet to announce any cuts in their motorsports program despite cash flow problems and a rumored (but hopefully, for their sake, unlikely) merger with Dodge.
Toyota remains the only manufacturer in the sport without any major financial issues. In fact compared to their counterparts they are on a different level. Seemingly flush with cash, they are outspending everybody by a wide margin in everything from marketing to technical support.
So now the question is, why not begin talks with other manufacturers about entering the sport? For instance, why not approach Honda and Nissan who both have strong motorsports ties. Honda competes in the Indy Racing League (exclusively, as a matter of fact), Formula 1, and Motocross among others. Much like fellow Japanese automaker Toyota, Honda has an immense following in the United States, and the profits to back it up. Likewise, Nissan enjoys a large following in this country and turns a healthy profit. On the downside, their motorsports program is not quite as large as Honda’s or Toyota’s.
Now I know traditionally this sport was built on the backs of Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet, but the Japanese automakers are becoming increasingly Americanized. Between the three of them they have 21 manufacturing plants in the United States with one more on the way from Toyota. While some models are built outside the US, the same could be said of the ‘big three’ which have plants in Mexico and Canada.
In a sport that has four manufacturers that are spread thin, why not add a couple of new ones to the mix. They would bring money and potentially new fans. It gives teams more options and relieves some of NASCAR’s reliance on the ‘big three.’ Ultimately, I think it would make for a better sport.
Now it’s your turn. What do you think? Do you think there should be more manufacturers in the sport? Why or why not?
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on Oct 23rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I used to believe that having Toyota enter the sport was not a good idea. I must admit that I was wrong. With the economy in the condition it is in, I suspect that in a few years the ‘big three’ may not be the major players that they have been for the past 60 years in Nascar.
Will Honda come? Yes, probably. But they won’t be here to best GM, Ford or Dodge. They’ll have their sights set on Toyota. Nissan won’t be far behind (so long as they stay profitable).
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a European manufacturer enter the fray as well. Mercedes Benz wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination after seeing first-hand the benefit Dodge gets from Nascar. Could Volkswagen be far behind? Or BMW?
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I am conflicted this it is a American sport but with out money can it survive.MANY imports have higher USA content then American brands and the way things are to cut cost American brands will be importing more parts and exporting jobs.JOBS people in the sport need jobs so if it is for honda or ford it pays the bills peole need jobs if this keeps them working to care for there families then thats what needs to happen.
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I THINK BRINGING IN TOYOTA WHEN THEY DID HAS HURT THE SPORT. I KNOW AFTER 30 YEARS I HAVE REALLY LOST INTEREST AND PROBABLY WON”T EVEN BE WATCHING NEXT YEAR. NASCAR WAS ALL ABOUT THE CHECK. THEY FORGOT ABOUT THE SPORT.
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I have to agree with Mr. Ed and Kaos. Having other manufacturers, particularly foreign brands with American plants such as Honda and Nissan would be great for America and NASCAR. Kia is another brand which could enter. Then there are the manufactured abroad brand names such as BMW and Volvo, both of which emphasize their safety.
Bearing in mind the high price of gas, having these foreign brands in NASCAR would be a tremendous kick in the ass to American manufacturers who ignored the looming petroleum oligarchy by making thirsty SUVs (which American consumers bought), thereby cheerfuly handing over mountains of American dollars to countries which despise our freedoms.
All the foreign brands named in your article, Journo, and in these comments are made by manufacturers in countries which are loyal American allies.
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I would love to see Honda in the sport. But with their IRL commitment I doubt that will happen any time soon. Although the IRL is all but dead after ESPN dumping them for all but 4 races……
Just some figures for you guys
Number of cars/trucks made in the US last year.
Just picking the “big three”
Chrysler 1,651,285
Ford 2,174,599
GM 2,850,817
Honda 1,015,462
Toyota 1,334,183
Nissan 703,662
I think when you make around one million cars in our country its time to stop calling them import cars.
BTW there were a little under 11 million cars-trucks made in the US last year.
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 2:25 am
At this point the management should be based in Japan and owned by them End the name Nascar and call it the Toyota series.
on Oct 28th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I’d love to see AUDI get into the mix.
They have dominated the ALMS for years and it’d be interesting to see their engineers innovate within the narrow confines of the NASCAR rules package.