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October 07, 2005
Does safety = advantage for Toyota?
By Krista Voda
Matte kudasai.
Which means "wait a minute" (i think?!) in Japanese.
As NASCAR continues to develop and test its Car of Tomorrow, one has to wonder how this will affect, and ultimately benefit, the new manufacturer making a play in Nextel Cup racing...Toyota. Word is that Toyota will begin cup racing in 2007, which just happens to be the same year NASCAR is projecting putting its COT on-track full-time.
So, while Chevy, Dodge, and Ford team owners will have to scrap their old cars in order to build the new ones, Toyota can simply start with the new design, and avoid wasting all of that money on the old one.
The Car of Tomorrow will be on track, at this point it's not a matter of if, but when. It's already been tested at Talladega. Another huge test is planned for the Monday following Atlanta. All of the big-name owners are scheduled to take part in this one.
NASCAR is looking at using the new cars at least once next year, possibly in the fall, before implementing full use of the Car of Tomorrow for the 2007 season.
This week, on PRN's Garage Pass, Jack Roush said he's hoping the COT gets rolled out slowly. Roush joined other owners in pleading that case before NASCAR. According to Roush, if team owners can phase out their old cars, at the same time NASCAR phases in the new style, the cost, although still significant, would be greatly reduced.
The only Toyotas you can expect to see on NASCAR tracks next year, are flatbeds. But the buzz surrounding which Nextel Cup teams will switch to the manufacturer for 2007 is at decibel-level. Bill Davis, Michael Waltrip, Roger Penske, all in the mix. (Remember, Waltrip will be driving for Bill Davis in '06...looks like his owner hat will match Bill's in '07).
No question, the Car of Tomorrow will help insure that the guys who drive it have many more tomorrows. It will be wider and longer. The driver will be situated some 4-inches closer to the center of the car. The rollcage will be improved. And new 'crushable' materials will be introduced.
The drivers are glad the COT is coming and the owners appreciate the safety initiatives. But you can bet a few of those owners are really glad the calendar is working in their wallet's favor.
October 7, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
I don't see an advantage for anyone...They all have to struggle with the new body etc. And the big guys will still have track knowledge. Me, I'm not doing a panic, "The Japs are coming to take over the sport!" The more the merrier...anything that brings more fans and knowledge (about NASCAR) can't be all bad.
Here's a more useful Japanese saying...(Two fingers in the air)bi-ru. Unless you drink alone that gets ya 2 cold ones!!!
Posted by: Keith | Oct 7, 2005 8:18:38 PM
For the record it's "choto mate kudasai" that means "Wait a minute, please!"
"Matte Kudasai" is a single by the band King Crimson, released in 1981.
But thanks for the Japanese refresher, it brought back memories of my 7 years there. Not that I need it with the Japanese F1 Grand Prix this weekend. Ahhh... those Japanese hotties!!!
Toyota may have a slight advantage because they will start fresh with the COT. But that, in my opinion will be negated by being new at the NEXTEL Cup level. It will also be dependent on which teams they align themselves with. Davis looks to be a lock with the M. Waltrip/Darrell Waltrip connection. the rest are up in the air.
Even though Honda has denied it, the company have been provided with CTS templates and considering they just introduced their "supersized" Ridgeline truck in the States it stands to reason they wouldn't let Toyota have CTS and eventually Cup alone to themselves.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 7, 2005 9:03:10 PM
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