Post by nasnut67 on Mar 13, 2007 3:27:30 GMT -5
Here we go we are three events into the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup series and all the fears of Toyota dominating have not been realized. Dave Blaney and Dale Jarrett have qualified for all the races, but that is because they have provisionals. (Blaney was top 35 in 2006, and if he falls from the top 35 will not have a guarnteed starting spot. Dale Jarrett has used half of his provisionals to make the races.)
If you were A.J. Allmendinger and Jeremy Mayfield, who have not qualified their Toyota's, would you be looking to leave your ride or wait? Both drivers are capable. Allmendinger lead ChampCar in wins last season, and Mayfield can be a top level driver with the right equipment.
The seven teams are well funded. Red Bull Racing is an off shoot of the F1 program. Many of the upper level engineers that are working on the #83 and #84 Toyota's are from Red Bull's F1 team. Michael Waltrip Racing is also well funded. Their many backers from, Domino's Pizza, Burger King, NAPA, and UPS are more than likely underwhelmed. They could be throwing their money toward teams that are making races and getting TV time instead of not making races. Bill Davis Racing is decently funded, but has never been the top of the field. They have had a few triumphs, but that was at the hands of Ward Burton.
Then again, Toyota has deep pockets. But, they not always been successful. Their F1 budget is said to be the largest in Formula 1, but with a couple of Pole postions in the 8-9 seasons of competition in the premier league of motorsport, they have flopped. Toyota can only hope to be on an equal playing field when the Car of Tomorrow debuts in a couple of weeks at Bristol, but they might be behind the 8-car again. When you compare their history in NASCAR competition the Nextel Cup teams are nothing short of disappointments. Toyota was strong in the former NASCAR Goody's Dash series, and was very strong when they took to the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series. My final verdict is that NASCAR has done something that the IRL, CART, TRANS-AM, and IMSA did not do, and that is bow down to the financial pressures of the Japanese automaker. I expect Toyota to have to wait , and not plan to dominate like they have in the past.
What is your thoughts on this?
If you were A.J. Allmendinger and Jeremy Mayfield, who have not qualified their Toyota's, would you be looking to leave your ride or wait? Both drivers are capable. Allmendinger lead ChampCar in wins last season, and Mayfield can be a top level driver with the right equipment.
The seven teams are well funded. Red Bull Racing is an off shoot of the F1 program. Many of the upper level engineers that are working on the #83 and #84 Toyota's are from Red Bull's F1 team. Michael Waltrip Racing is also well funded. Their many backers from, Domino's Pizza, Burger King, NAPA, and UPS are more than likely underwhelmed. They could be throwing their money toward teams that are making races and getting TV time instead of not making races. Bill Davis Racing is decently funded, but has never been the top of the field. They have had a few triumphs, but that was at the hands of Ward Burton.
Then again, Toyota has deep pockets. But, they not always been successful. Their F1 budget is said to be the largest in Formula 1, but with a couple of Pole postions in the 8-9 seasons of competition in the premier league of motorsport, they have flopped. Toyota can only hope to be on an equal playing field when the Car of Tomorrow debuts in a couple of weeks at Bristol, but they might be behind the 8-car again. When you compare their history in NASCAR competition the Nextel Cup teams are nothing short of disappointments. Toyota was strong in the former NASCAR Goody's Dash series, and was very strong when they took to the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series. My final verdict is that NASCAR has done something that the IRL, CART, TRANS-AM, and IMSA did not do, and that is bow down to the financial pressures of the Japanese automaker. I expect Toyota to have to wait , and not plan to dominate like they have in the past.
What is your thoughts on this?
