The Nascar Challenge
Toyota entered the world of NASCAR stock car racing in 2000 with a V6 Celica entered in the Goody’s Dash series for Robert Huffman. Huffman went on to win 10 races in the three seasons, clinching the drivers’ title in 2003.
In 2004, Toyota moved into NASCAR’S Craftsman Truck Series with the Tundra pick-up. Four wins and five poles were amassed in that first season, while in 2004 and 2005 combined the four Tundra drivers achieved nine race victories and 13 poles between them. The success continued into 2006, with Todd Bodine winning the driver’s title and Toyota the manufacturers’ championship.
In 2007 Toyota will join NASCAR’s premier racing series, the Nextel Cup, supplying Camry models to three teams; Bill Davis Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Team Red Bull. The move to one of America’s most popular motor sports championships will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Toyota in the USA. The Camry is an appropriate standard-bearer for the brand, as it is consistently America’s best-selling car, with top rated sales in eight out of the past nine years.
