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FULL THROTTLE: Toyota and the Car of Tomorrow
By sprenzler in FULL THROTTLE
October 25, 2007

With just four races left, who is going to take home the Nextel Cup? Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, maybe even Tony Stewart? I know, I know, it would take a miracle for Smoke to bring it home, but hey, stranger things have happened.

While watching the Talladega race a few weeks back, I really thought Stewart had it during the final laps. But then I watched him block Jimmie Johnson while at the same time, giving up the lead in move that had me screaming at my television set (did I mention my upstairs neighbors are moving this weekend?).

I watched Tony give it his all, but his car just didn’t seem fast enough. I couldn’t figure it out. Smoke is undoubtedly one of NASCAR’s best. The boy has unbelievable skills and a fiery temper, which I just love, but did his faithful Home Depot Chevrolet fail him? That would be strange however, because racer winner Jeff Gordon drives a Chevy (and how nice Gordon was to thank Tony for the “push” that helped him win the race).

Which brings me to Toyota and the COT. Toyota hasn’t done so great this year, but I think it’s because of the drivers. I’m not sure about the cars yet since I’ve only seen average drivers behind the wheel.

Sorry to the fans of Michael Waltrip, A.J. Allmendinger, Dave Blaney, Dale Jarrett and so on, but none of these guys (in their Toyotas) have won a race this year.

In a very brave move, Joe Gibbs Racing, home of Stewart, Denny Hamlin and newcomer Kyle Busch, switched from Chevys to Toyotas for the 2008 season. Doesn’t sound very American to me, but hey, I’ll give it a chance. I look at it this way. If the Toyotas are any good, then the drivers at JGR will be the ones to prove it. Toyota seems to have an endless supply of money they want to share with NASCAR, so I say bring it on. My prediction: Stewart and his Toyota COT will dominate in 2008.

Comments


  • joebob007 joebob007 Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    I think JGR gave in to the money$. And as they say in racing " speed costs, how fast do you want to go?" Toyota did have a favorable outing in the truck series, so maybe they just need a better team to continue to develop their product. Toyota seemed to find a lot of horsepower at Talledaga all of a sudden. As far as  Stewart  dominating, that seems like a real long shot. Do you always bet against the odds? I think the Hendrick boys are going to run away with it next year. ( I know, I take the easy odds) Three of the top drivers and crew chiefs, at this time it seems impossible to beat.
    So, ask me a year from now...

    October 31, 2007 at 3:33 p.m.