Toyota to enter Nextel Cup

[Coastal89]

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Toyota is planning to move up to NASCAR's top two stock car series and not everybody is happy about it.

The Japanese automaker, which has competed in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series the past two seasons, announced Monday it will also run its Camry brand in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series in 2007.

NASCAR chairman Brian France gave his blessing to Toyota, telling more than 200 reporters taking part in the first day of the annual preseason media tour ``Toyota has proven in the truck series it can be a great partner. NASCAR offered them the best opportunity to build their presence in racing in North America and we're glad they are here.''

Toyota will become the first foreign competitor in NASCAR's top series since Jaguar ran in several races in the 1950s.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AljsB14AkRgs4qOUAIqbivHov7YF?slug=ap-nascar-toyota&prov=ap&type=lgns
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060123/capt.nccb10301232153.nascar_toyota_auto_racing_ncc b103.jpg

[bobcatfan06]

That car looks like ****e.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

That car looks like ****e.

that car looks just like the "charger", "fusion", and "Monte Carlo". Only the Monte in my opinion resembles anything close to the factory car. I wish it was more like the mid to late 80's, the buicks, thunderbirds, monte's, grand prix and cutlesses of the era were all cool looking. It didn't really get bad until Ford switched from the thunderbird to the taures in '98. From that point on the cars all began to look the same. I don't care the toyota is entering the series, i just wish the cars looked different.

[bobcatfan06]

that car looks just like the "charger", "fusion", and "Monte Carlo". Only the Monte in my opinion resembles anything close to the factory car. I wish it was more like the mid to late 80's, the buicks, thunderbirds, monte's, grand prix and cutlesses of the era were all cool looking. It didn't really get bad until Ford switched from the thunderbird to the taures in '98. From that point on the cars all began to look the same. I don't care the toyota is intering the serious, i just wish the cars looked different.

That is a good point. The Monte is the only car I like too. Maybe I'm biased towards Chevy, which is highly possible.

[bandl]

NASCAR...

xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

NASCAR...

xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex xazzx xpumpukex


might not like it but it's the second most popular sport in the country. if you've never been to a nascar race then you shouldn't judge it. The tailgating is part Grateful Dead lot and part Alabama football tailgating. Watch the Daytona 500 in Feb and tell me those guys aren't nutts.

[bandl]

might not like it but it's the second most popular sport in the country. if you've never been to a nascar race then you shouldn't judge it. The tailgating is part Grateful Dead lot and part Alabama football tailgating. Watch the Daytona 500 in Feb and tell me those guys aren't nutts.
I've been to the Daytona 500 and Martinsville. BORING.

[OL FU]

I've been to the Daytona 500 and Martinsville. BORING.

:nod: :nod: :nod:
I have gone around in circles too many times in my life to enjoy watching someone else do it. :)

[SunCoastBlueHen]

:nod: :nod: :nod:
I have gone around in circles too many times in my life to enjoy watching someone else do it. :)

:) I think I would rather pull up a lawn chair and a cooler of beer and watch the Interstate go by.

[HiHiYikas]

Having grown up near Hickory, NC, I used to be a pretty big Nascar fan. I used to work with Benny Parsons' son, my sis is currently Dale Jarret's son's basketball coach. My father-in-law used to run one division below Dale Sr., Harry Gant, and Dale Jarrett at Hky Motor Speedway. He just left a job with Tide racing to seek employment with Rousch Racing or the Wood bros.

I bought Mrs. HiHiYikas tickets to the Winston when she finished her associates degree. I'm guessing there aren't many wives out there who would find this kind of graduation present appealing. But she and her dad love it more than I ever have.

I know this is all random useless info, but suffice it to say the culture is intense and ubiquitous where I'm from.

Anyway, after the whole fiasco with Jimmy Johnson getting fined for knocking a Coke product off his Pepsi-sponsored car in the winners' circle the other year, I reached the conclusion that NASCAR is the world's biggest advertizing convention. Whatever "sporting-type activity" happens is merely incidental.

Why sports fans will gripe about the TOSTITOS Fiesta Bowl and the SUZUKI Heisman Trophy and then spend Sunday afternoons watching NASCAR is beyond me.

And, btw, if popularity were any gauge of quality, I-AA football would suck.

[OL FU]

Having grown up near Hickory, NC, I used to be a pretty big Nascar fan. I used to work with Benny Parsons' son, my sis is currently Dale Jarret's son's basketball coach. My father-in-law used to run one division below Dale Sr., Harry Gant, and Dale Jarrett at Hky Motor Speedway. He just left a job with Tide racing to seek employment with Rousch Racing or the Wood bros.

I bought Mrs. HiHiYikas tickets to the Winston when she finished her associates degree. I'm guessing there aren't many wives out there who would find this kind of graduation present appealing. But she and her dad love it more than I ever have.

I know this is all random useless info, but suffice it to say the culture is intense and ubiquitous where I'm from.

Anyway, after the whole fiasco with Jimmy Johnson getting fined for knocking a Coke product off his car in the winners' circle the other year, I reached the conclusion that NASCAR is the world's biggest advertizing convention. Whatever "sporting-type activity" happens is merely incidental.

Why sports fans will gripe about the TOSTITOS Fiesta Bowl and the SUZUKI Heisman Trophy and then spend Sunday afternoons watching NASCAR is beyond me.

I agree. If the NBA is the best example of athletes gone wild, NASCAR is the best example of almost absolute control on the professionals behavior.

On the other hand from what I have seen there is little restiction on the fan's behavior :)

[blackfordpu]

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Toyota is planning to move up to NASCAR's top two stock car series and not everybody is happy about it.

The Japanese automaker, which has competed in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series the past two seasons, announced Monday it will also run its Camry brand in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series in 2007.

NASCAR chairman Brian France gave his blessing to Toyota, telling more than 200 reporters taking part in the first day of the annual preseason media tour ``Toyota has proven in the truck series it can be a great partner. NASCAR offered them the best opportunity to build their presence in racing in North America and we're glad they are here.''

Toyota will become the first foreign competitor in NASCAR's top series since Jaguar ran in several races in the 1950s.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AljsB14AkRgs4qOUAIqbivHov7YF?slug=ap-nascar-toyota&prov=ap&type=lgns
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060123/capt.nccb10301232153.nascar_toyota_auto_racing_ncc b103.jpg

Not too up on car racing. Why is this such a big deal? :confused:

[MR. CHICKEN]

CAIN'T WAIT TA SEE...HOW REDNECKS ON SILVER BULLETS...REACTAH....WHEN DUH JAPS....WIN AT DAYTONA!....xlolx.....BRAWQ!

GONNA PUT UH WHOLE NEW SPIN...ON DECEMBER 7th! :rotateh:

[Third and Long]

CAIN'T WAIT TA SEE...HOW REDNECKS ON SILVER BULLETS...REACTAH....WHEN DUH JAPS....WIN AT DAYTONA!....xlolx.....BRAWQ!

GONNA PUT UH WHOLE NEW SPIN...ON DECEMBER 7th! :rotateh:
Good point