Evil_Capri

Here are a few interesting NASCAR tidbits . . .

Got these from jayski.com . . .

1. Crate Engines at Daytona/Talladega for the Busch Series? Detroit executives have proposed to NASCAR that the sanctioning body switch to crate engines at Daytona and Talladega as a cost-cutting measure for the Busch series. Crate engines would be formula engines built to identical standards, IROC-style; they could be mass produced for maybe $8,000 apiece, considerably less than $60,000-plus Daytona/Talladega Busch engines currently used. NASCAR already hands out identical shocks and springs at Daytona and Talladega.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-2-2005)


2. More on Toyota: The key issue in the NASCAR Cup garage at the moment is Toyota's apparently imminent step up to the Busch series next season, with an expected Nextel Cup debut in 2007. Toyota's NASCAR model is expected to be the Avalon, though some are looking at the Solara, too. Toyota, according to sources, wants to field two Busch teams next year, with engines provided by the company, as it has done with its NASCAR Truck program. However, NASCAR officials are reported to have told Toyota that it would have to provide support to least five or six teams. Toyota is also reported to be bidding for some big-name NASCAR teams for its Busch effort, the biggest name mentioned being Chevy kingpin Rick Hendrick. GM executives insist they've got firm contracts with Hendrick for the next several years. However the Hendrick-Toyota questions have persisted, in part perhaps because Hendrick is one of the country's biggest Lexus dealers. Adding fuel to the Toyota-NASCAR issue are reports that Toyota plans to drop its IRL support at the end of the season (the company is spending nearly $100 million this year on its Indy-car program) and that Honda executives have indicated to IRL boss Tony George they don't plan to stick it out either if Honda is to become the only engine supplier to that series.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-2-2005)

3. Car of the Future delay? Under pressure from race teams, NASCAR might delay the debut of the "car of the future" until the end of 2007 and the "common" engine until 2008. Many engine builders fear teams could be crushed financially if they're left with large inventories of obsolete engines. But to even the playing field and prepare for Toyota's expected arrival in the Cup series, NASCAR is looking at controlling cars from the tires up.(Sporting News)(5-2-2005)



And something interesting regarding SPEEDTV . . .

Changes at Speed, NASCAR Nation down to 30 minutes?: A shake-up at the top of Fox's Speed Channel is the latest TV shock for NASCAR, and Fox's decision to let Jim Liberatore go as head of the cable channel leaves considerable uncertainty about just what's going on. Liberatore has been running Speed Channel, based in Charlotte, since Fox bought it four years ago. He cites "a difference in philosophies" for his departure. According to one source, Liberatore wanted to diversify Speed Channel again, to include a good mix of all racing. It has become predominantly NASCAR-oriented. There are also reports that the Speed Channel 's NASCAR Nation show will soon be dramatically revamped, in light of generally poor ratings. The show is likely to be cut from an hour to 30 minutes, and its focus is to change from hard racing reports to more soft entertainment features.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-3-2005)

Donna

Interesting read......

I wonder if Connie Legrand will still be on Nascar Nation. She was on a local channel here for about 3-4 years and left to take that job.

00StangGT

If I see ANY japanese automaker in NASCAR I will boycott watching it and never go to another race again.

THIS IS A $%&#ING AMERICAN SPORT NOT A JAPANESE SPORT!!!!

AFBLUE

"Terra Prime" member?

Evil_Capri

Well . . .Toyota's a coming . . .and she's bringing H*ll with her!!

Sorry for my poor movie reference . . . .

AFBLUE

Ya hear? Hell's comin with her! .

The 4 horsemen of the NASCAR apocalyse: Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi