Ganassi Going Toyota?

[GaryS]

Then only problem I have with Toyota entering a racing series is that I don't want to watch them, so I won't.

If I want to watch a beauty contest, I don't want to see ugly women entered, just because they are women.

If I attend a field trial for hunting dogs, I don't want to see a Maltese in the event, just because it's a dog.

If I attend a baseball game, I don't want to see a base fiddle player on 2nd base, just because it's "almost the same".

Winston Cup racing and the CTS have always been American series and soon will not, because some folks wish to rewrite history and question the meaning of the word "is".

We all have prejudices in our life choices and mine is to avoid all cars from Japan. Although I have nothing against the Japanese race, I have serious objections to Japanese culture, the way they conduct business and what they think of non-Japanese.

I'm certain NASCAR will gain fans from among those who love Toytotas, but they will also lose fans. It's their business and their call. Ill just do something else on racedays and find a different rat hole down which to throw my entertainment dollars. Maybe NASCAR won't notice or care, but maybe they will. I really don't care one way or the other.

[Stoga]

I agree whole heartedly, Gary, but I will probably watch a few races, just like I do now, mainly to see the Bowtie fans throw a hissy fit whenever a Toyota does win. Then I expect there'll be spoiler adjustments and weight shifted around and whatever rule change to effect a GM victory as usual. Though the Ford folks did pretty well this past weekend, I expect they're also due for a spoiler trimming. It'll be interesting to find out who ends up on the outside looking in like Mopar usually does.
Don't forget , they'll never forgive Chrysler for owning the series for decades, thats what 20 years of banning was all about.
But wouldn't it be almost funny if Toyota took Chevy's place as favored manufacturer?
It would be wonderful to have another series with less politically influenced rules, but I doubt that will ever happen, unless something really split apart Nascar as we know it today.
The Toyota thing may just be that splitting wedge, or it could just be business as usual. Theyve needed some more nameplates to replace Buick, Oldsmobile and Mercury, as well as Plymouth, for some time now. The 3 car race, (Chevy,Pontiac,Ford) has added Dodge, but it is still mostly the same.

[dwc43]

Not sure if that rule still applies or not there Sanborn. Mostly me and Dak were just jerkin each others chain since we IM off line quite a bit. It's an interesting question though.

[mastrdrver]

Why did Chrysler leave in the first place?

[dwc43]

Chrysler was never banned. They simple ran out of money and almost went bankrupt at the end of the 70's. There Mirada and Imperial were as areo as a concrette block. Petty made the statement at Daytona that during a plug check he killed the engine of the Mirada on the back straight and it would not even coast to the pits. They went back and reskinned it to a monte and that was sthe end for Petty in a Mopar. Last win was in '78 with Neil Bonnet in a red Imperial at Michigan I believe. With no other cars available to fit Nascars rules and no money it was all said and done.

[Stoga]

Also, it must be said, Nascar gave no support to Chrysler after the early 70's. As Nascar switched from a big block to a small block racing class, things like converted front wheel drive vehicles and 4 doors weren't allowed to be raced. That would have allowed Chrysler to keep racing, but those changes weren't implemented by Nascar until later when it was advantageous for GM and later, Ford.
No, they weren't explicity banned, let's just say that Chrysler was hung out to dry, then basically abandoned for 2 decades.
Long enough so the Bowtie folks could brag about Lumina Carlos.

[dwc43]

That's about how it was Stoga. Sad aint it? Wonder why NAscar did not let there dei buddies win Sat. night. Guess they figured 3 in row would be too suspicious, huh?

[Stoga]

I was kind of surprised to see that 3 blue ovals finished up front, you may have a point there, even a casino lets the sucker win a hand or two!

[dwc43]

TRUE!

[pcrmike]

There is nothing that pi$$es me off worse than the kind of thing that NASCAR pulled with equalizing the bodies. By this time last year, we had won 4 or 5 races, and this year, the only one to win has been Newman. Last year he ran a Ford, but has got the talent. Where have Sterling and Elliott been? Mayfield finished eighth Saturday! Gas mileage screwed Dodge out of a win in the trucks, and I'm sure screwed us out of a better finish at Daytona, but at least DEI didn't take it. I really think that given a little time, Dodge will come to the place of dominance once again. (As long as Daimler doesn't screw this up too!) I'm with one of the earlier posts, if Toyota comes in, and especially if they get GM-style treatment, I'm done with NASCAR. LISTEN UP NASCAR--IF TOYOTA COMES IN, NOT ONLY ARE THE MOPARITES GONNA BE P.O.'D, BUT ALSO THE FORD AND GM GUYS WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THAT KIND OF B.$! Sorry, I don't usually get so into this, but I had to let off some steam.

[JC]

Hey GaryS are you going to email me and address to that guy you talked about. I'm ready to write them. And send them the hole deal. I was on the grand am message board and it looks like they are going to do something like this in 04&05 using stock bodies,and rwd conversions. I really would like to get this to somebody that can do something with it. Don't get me wrong grand am is ok but its not my bag. I do not have the time or money. (Just the Idea) It can be done and they can be built. Maybe I can plant a bug in there ear. JC

[GaryS]

Sorry JC, somehow I missed your pervious post.

Eddie Gossage is the track manager at Texas Motor Speedway. If you can interest him, he has access to the ear of Bruton Smith, who owns several tracks, has all the money in the world and no love for the France family. He'd be the guy I would expect to launch a new racing series for oval tracks.

I'd pitch it as filling a niche that NASCAR has abandoned. Cars closer to stock, less expensive and more appealing to the fans who follow the brand more than the drivers.

Gossage's address is: Texas Motor Speedway, P.O. Box 500, Fort Worth, TX 76101-2500.

[JC]

Thanks I will get working on it. If they are not interested I'll try hooters owner Brooks, and ASA . JC

[RB]

Originally Posted by Glenn81

Do you guys think that there is any truth to the rumour that Jayski is reporting about Ganassi going to Toyota's in 2005?

I guess we can put this old Jayski rumor to bed !

[it's all dodge]

Yeah, I know, old thread. But yeah, DWC got it right, Nascar did nothing to help the Chysler be more competitive, not like they do now. Remember Elliott woop'n them all in the mid 80's with the T-bird? Nascar let chevy do what they had to to make the Lumina competitive. And remember when the Dodges first came back, they were fast of the trailer, the big line of complainers at the nascar hauler made sure Nascar slowed them down. once again, Bill Elliott was fast then too.