The word is out. JGR will switch from Chevrolet to Toyota for ‘08. The formal announcement should come within 2 weeks. The longer JGR put off the extension with the Bowtie boys, it was becoming apparent that the switch would be on. As a chevy team, JGR was no better than 3rd or 4th in the pecking order at GM. Powerhouse Hendrick, along with Richard Childress & DEI have to be the favorites. At Toyota, JGR will be the top dog instantly. With 2 time champ Tony Stewart leading the driver line up and the combination of Kyle Bush and Denny Hamlin in the talent pool, that gives Toyota some impressive guns compared to the current driver line up.
When Joe Gibbs entered the world of big time racing in 1991, he did so with the same intensity and desire that made him a winning coach in the NFL, winning 2 SUPERBOWLS as head coach of the Washington Redskins. Beginning with just one team headed by Jimmy Makar, the team was assembled. Dale Jarrett would be their first driver. Jarrett won the ‘92 Daytona 500 driving the JGR 18.
JGR has always run with GM. First with Chevrolet, then switching to Pontiac during a time when that mark needed more teams. later, when Pontiac withdrew from NASCAR, JGR simply returned to Chevy.
For Toyota, this has got to be big. To get a team with top tier drivers and rescources is what Toyota needs to get their foothold on solid ground. No disrespect to current Toyota teams. They simply have not delivered on the track. Bill Davis and Michael Waltrip are good people. their programs will improve. The acid test now will be if JGR struggles to make races. I suspect the current engine package that NASCAR approved is the reason for all the DNQ’s. The engine that was approved for the truck series has proven to be a winner. NASCAR forced that design to be modified for the cup series, fearing a total domination by TRD.
We shall see.
6 Comments
Grumpy I think it will be an interesting year next year. I really don’t think Gibbs would make the move to Toyota if he didn’t think it would help his teams in the long run.
Nana
I agree. I don’t think a past champ like Dale Jarrett forgot how to qualify. Same with mikey. Under the Toyota body is the same chassis and handling package that would carry a chevy. So it has to be the motor combination. I think TRD did too good in the CTS. So NASCAR would not approve the same engine for cup competition. Now, they seem to be down on power when compared to the other makes.
JGR must have confidence that they can solve this problem. For TRD, it is a real boost to get JGR. I thought it would be Penske from the top tier teams to go first.
You money grubbers are true americans greedy and power hungry! Toyota stinks and is not real america! I will not support any of the Toyota drivers anymore in no way shape or form!!!
Hi, “real american”, and thanks for pipin’ in!
I hope you’re not insinuating that we’re “money-grubbers” here at anglerred, grin …
Regardless — my gut-level feeling on all of this is VERY MUCH THE SAME AS YOURS. If you’ve read many (if not all of) my posts here, you’ll know that I DO NOT like Toyota in Cup racing, ONE BIT. In fact — and I don’t use the word “hate” much, and mean it — but, I hate it.
NASCAR is a Big 3 sport to me, or should’ve remained so — PERIOD. No matter this “global economy reality” we all have to face in many ways, I DO NOT appreciate supporting, in an American sport, the HEADQUARTER-based profits of manufacturers like Toyota. I realize that many people in the U.S. work for Toyota, and work hard — and earn their money, which they place back into the U.S. economy — ETC.
I get all of that — I respect the “theories”, but … just like shoppin’ at WalMart is a “vote” against products that are made in the U.S., however much more expensive they might be thanks to the “unions” that outlived their usefulness when THEY became too greedy … any financial support for Toyota and many others, when the NET profits are earned by companies based in different countries …
I don’t agree with that.
There’s reality, however … computers, cell phones … tv’s … you NAME it — we’re all somewhat guilty/victims of of the “global economy.” That doesn’t mean that I have to like it any more than you do.
However — the drivers in NASCAR … I will still pull for Smoke, for example, even though I’m PISSED OFF that he’s driving a Toyota.
Like last night, I will LOVE to see him race hard and race WELL, because that’s the RACER I’m lovin’ about him … but, when Jr. won it in a CHEVY?
Yeah … that’s what I’m talkin’ about.
(Not because it was Jr., by the way — I would’ve felt the same way about Jimmie Johnson, and I can’t STAND HIM.)
So … there’s the rub, for me, at least. I loved Jr.’s smile, and was so very happy to see him finally back in his element — on a team that gives him more support than grief, however much I’d rather he be in control of DEI and runnin’ just as well.
But, I would’ve rather seen Smoke in VL — just NOT with a Toyota.
You’re not alone in feeling what you feel, then.
I think many Americans are just as conflicted … it’s that whole “reality” vs. “what should be right” deal, and it often sucks.
Hope you’ll return to blast us again when you feel the need, grin …
Well, imagine my surprise when I saw this old post being kicked around.
Qualifying at Daytona just concluded and we have the 55 car locked in as the 2nd fastest. some of the SPEED pundits were predicting a pole for TRD. I thought that was a bold prediction. Maybe they know something that we (fans) don’t.
The comments by realamerican have been said many times by a lot of folks. That issue is decided. Toyota is in NASCAR for the long haul. IMO, the TRD experience may cause a similar move by Honda in the future.
I remember when Wal-Mart used to brag about promoting goods made in America. I believe they showcased a supplier of men’s shirts as an example of providing jobs for Americans. I challenge anyone to find articles of clothing made in the USA at Wal-Mart today. why? Wal-Mart’s buyers are ruthless to get the last penny cut from the cost of goods.
What has that to do with Toyota? Nothing, really. Toyota builds a quality product and employs a lot of Americans to assemble their products in the USA. Meanwhile, GM, Ford, and Chrysler continue to close US plants in favor of cheaper labor while building cars and trucks in Mexico and Canada. who is to blame for that? NAFTA? the UAW? I am not sure, maybe all of the above. Of the current cars approved for competition in NASCAR, only the Toyota Camry is assembled in the USA. The Ford Fusion is built in Mexico. The Chevy Impala and Dodge Charger both hail from Windsor, Ontario. (Canada, not California)
See, it is not so easy to know what a foreign car is.
I get what you’re sayin’, darlin’ … but — at some point — where does it STOP?
Unfortunately, we’re all caught in that snowball-sized ball of ice dropped from a snowy cliff that’s somehow become an “Armageddon”-sized (I’m talkin’ the movie) planet-killing asteroid.
It’s wicked, it’s ugly, and it’s on a crash-course with whatever “reality” most of us would “like to think” could still exist.
Norman Rockwell is deceased.
How long before the rest of us are, too?
Only the asteroid knows, grin …
It’s all about choices.
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