Imports to be included in NASCAR in 2007 Nextel Cup Season In a sport well known for rednecks, mullets, no right turns (except at two race tracks), beer bellies, great tailgate parties and some of the most loyal fans for American automotive companies like Ford and Chevrolet, a new entry will be the Toyota race car. This will be the first import entrant in the history of NASCAR racing. According to NASCAR executives this is an important milestone for NASCAR as it will help it gain international appeal and a share of a much larger fan base. In 2007 Toyota will be fielding atleast 3 cars. The decision to add import manufacturers is monumental for NASCAR as it shows a desire to change and it also shows that the fan base is changing. What was once a predominant male redneck affair has now gone more modern and has gained international appeal. According to NASCAR executives it may not be far in the future before you start to see NASCAR race tracks over seas like in Japan and China. THE UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) started in the US and spawned many off takes that are still running strong overseas and in America. For a sport like NASCAR to grow and keep its momentum it is important to spread its wings and divest its fan base. Restore cloudy, yellow headlight lenses to new and save big money over replacements New Lite headlight restoration and cleaning kit at mdwholesale.com In 2007 Toyota will be entering both the Nextel Cup and Busch series with the Camry (the Camry was probably chosen due to its popularity as the most sold car in America and that it is a full size to mid size car). After three years of Toyota competing as part of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Bill France commented, “Toyota’s entry into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series is good for drivers, teams and the fans. This move provides for even more intense competition on the track between drivers and manufacturers, which will provide more excitement and fan interest,” he continued. “Toyota’s entry also provides more options for drivers and teams, which will increase the competition between manufacturers. The 2007 year is also important for Toyota as it marks their 50th anniversary in America. Toyota has shown to be very competitive in other racing endeavors – and champions in most of these. NASCAR racing’s Nextel Cup has risen in recent years to become the biggest and best of all auto racing in America and Toyota has been eyeing NASCAR for some time. “If you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR,” admits Dave Illingworth, senior vice president, chief planning and administrative officer for Toyota Motor Sales, USA., Inc. It will be interesting to see how the current American NASCAR teams and cars will fare against the highly competitive and dominant Toyota teams. A separate announcement, made in late January 2006, detailed the three teams that would be competing behind the wheel of Toyota cars. Bill Davis Racing, Team Red Bull and Michael Waltrip Racing will be the teams sporting the Toyota Camry as the 2007 season kicks off at the Daytona 500 next February. According to TMS corporate manager of marketing communications Kim McCullough, “The response to Toyota’s involvement in the Craftsman Truck Series has been very positive, and we look forward to building on the acceptance at the next levels - in both Nextel Cup and Busch racing.” Michael Waltrip, who owns one of the teams to be operating Toyota cars next season, is a Daytona 500 winner times two. Nearly 10 years ago, he formed a race team that was primarily known for it’s involvement in the Busch Series. In recent years, however, the team began participating in the Nextel Cup Series on a limited basis and plans to compete regularly during the 2007 season. In fact, plans for ‘Waltrip Racing World’ was announced that would feature a high-tech race shop boasting over 125,000 square-feet of race shop space, buildings and housing. Article courtesy of MDWholesale.com headlight cleaner, repair and restoration. Back to MDWholesale.com headlight cleaner, repair and restoration. | 
