TOYOTA'S HISTORY IN AMERICA MOTORSPORTS
Toyota’s racing history includes a rich tradition with numerous championships and victories in some of the world’s most prestigious events. Yet, even with the long list of diverse accomplishments, no season has been able to match what the manufacturer produced in 2008.
The year began with Lexus becoming the first manufacturer in 20 years to earn three consecutive overall wins at the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona and concluded with Toyota winning its first-ever USAC Driver’s Championships. However, it was the on-track performance in the NASCAR ranks that resulted in many victory lane celebrations throughout the 2008 season and a winning streak that brought attention to the “new kids on the NASCAR block”.
In February, Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) Denny Hamlin became the first Toyota Camry driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race with his victory in the Gatorade Duel qualifier at Daytona. Just three weeks later at Atlanta, his JGR teammate Kyle Busch won Toyota’s first points paying Sprint Cup Series race.
Busch taking a Toyota to victory lane was a scene that would be replayed numerous times throughout the season. He went on to register a NASCAR record 21 victories in the sanctioning body’s three national series during the 2008 campaign. Overall, Busch earned eight Sprint Cup wins, 10 in the Nationwide Series and three in the Camping World Truck Series for his single season total.
Busch’s 2008 season was just one part of Toyota’s phenomenally successful year. The manufacturer earned NASCAR Manufacturer’s Championships with the Toyota Camry in the Nationwide Series and the Toyota Tundra in the Camping World Truck Series – Toyota’s third consecutive truck series title. In addition, long-time Toyota Tundra driver Johnny Benson became the second Tundra driver in the past three years to earn the coveted Driver’s Title. For the year, Toyota won 43 races in NASCAR’s three national series (10 Sprint Cup victories, 20 Nationwide wins and 13 truck series victories) – the most by any manufacturer in NASCAR.
The Sprint Cup success comes in just the second season of competition in the series for Toyota after becoming the first new manufacturer to enter ‘Cup’ competition in over 50 years in 2007. It also marked the first season with Joe Gibbs Racing who earned 10 Toyota Sprint Cup victories with drivers Busch, Hamlin and Tony Stewart all registering at least one victory and qualifying for the NASCAR Chase. JGR also took home the Nationwide Owner’s Championship Title.
In addition to the NASCAR success, Lexus-powered drivers Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas earned the 2008 Grand American Daytona Prototype Championship, while their Chip Ganassi Racing team registered its third team championship in five years on the strength of a series-high six victories. Pruett and Rojas teamed with Juan Montoya and Dario Franchitti in winning Lexus’ third straight Rolex 24 at Daytona. The win was a record-setting seventh Rolex 24 victory for long-time Lexus and Toyota driver Pruett, who would go on to become the first driver in history to win eight major U.S. sports car racing titles. The win also earned Rojas recognition as the first Mexican driver to win a major U.S. (road racing) Driver’s Championship.
On the short-track scene, Toyota-powered Jerry Coons Jr. to the Silver Crown championship and Nic Faas to the Western Midget Series title – the first-ever USAC titles for a Toyota-powered driver. In addition, Brian Tyler earned Toyota’s first two Silver Crown victories, while Faas won four races on the way to registering his first Toyota championship, while also earning USAC National Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Overall, Toyota-powered cars won in USAC Silver Crown, National Midget Series, Western Midget Series and Sprint Car series competition in 2008.
Toyota-powered competitors Pete Peterson and David Grant both earned the coveted title of National Champion in each of their respective classes at the 2008 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Runoffs. Peterson earned his seventh GT-3 National Championship, while Grant won the Formula Atlantic title.
Toyota’s success on the race track dates back to 1983. Since then, Toyota-powered entries have amassed numerous victories in American professional auto racing. Winning the 2003 Indianapolis 500 with Gil de Ferran was the crown jewel of a run that has witnessed Toyota IMSA victories at the Daytona 24 Hours and the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000, in addition to Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships in the Indy Racing League, NASCAR, Grand Am, CART, IMSA, SCORE, MTEG and CORR.
One of Toyota’s first-ever factory-backed professional programs began in 1983, when the manufacturer joined forces with racing legend Dan Gurney and All American Racers (AAR) to run Celicas in IMSA road racing competition. Toyota earned 24 victories in IMSA GTU and GTO competition from 1983 to 1998, and became the fi rst Japanese nameplate to win the GTO Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships in 1987.
Toyota and AAR moved up the IMSA ladder once again in 1989 to the GTP class, the elite level of American road racing. The factory-backed team captured seven wins over the 1990 and 1991 seasons, serving notice to the competition that Toyota and its American-built Eagle GTP cars were strong contenders.
The team’s success continued in the early 1990s with victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring (twice), the 24 Hours of Daytona and manufacturer titles in 1992 and 1993. The team holds the all-time record for consecutive GTP victories with 17, and won 19 of its last 21 races.
In 1983, the same year the relationship with Gurney began, Toyota also joined efforts with Precision Preparation, Inc. (PPI) and team owner Cal Wells III to build Toyota trucks for off-road and stadium competition. From 1983 to 1994, the Toyota/PPI team dominated the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Stadium Series, earning 11 Manufacturer’s Championships and nine Driver’s Championships with Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and Rod Millen accounting for three each, brother Steve Millen for two and Robby Gordon for one. Stewart also navigated the team through the desert to garner 27 wins and seven championships in the SCORE Desert Series.
Toyota's motorsports involvement grew to new heights in 1996, when Toyota entered CART (Champ Car) competition. The manufacturer earned its first victory in 2000 at Milwaukee with Juan Montoya and went on to win five races that season, followed by six wins in 2001. The program peaked in 2002 as Toyota drivers dominated the series, finishing one-two in the championship and leading the series in every major category. Overall, Toyota-powered Champ Cars won a series-high 21 races over their final three seasons of competition.
With the introduction of its V-6 Celica Goody’s Dash program, Toyota made its debut into the NASCAR ranks in 2000. Robert Huffman helped make Toyota a legitimate contender for the series title by its second season, while placing second in the championship in both 2001 and 2002. In 2003, Huffman broke through to win the series title and become Toyota’s first-ever NASCAR champion.
Toyota etched its name in the history books once again in 2002 when the manufacturer entered the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) with the first Celica-bodied Funny Car. Two years later, Jerry Tolliver scored Toyota’s inaugural Funny Car victory when he took home top honors at the Winternationals at Pomona, February 2004.
In 2003, Toyota moved its open-wheel racing operation to the IRL where Scott Dixon won Toyota's inaugural IRL race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as well as the series Driver's Championship that same year. The victory was one of 11 for Toyota as it captured the IRL Manufacturer's Championship. Over three seasons, Toyota-powered entries won 17 IndyCar Series races and 22 pole positions.
Collectively, Toyota-powered cars won 38 races and 44 pole positions in open-wheel racing competition from 1999 to 2005. The drivers that campaigned with Toyota power in open-wheel competition included past champions such as Montoya, Dixon, Cristiano da Matta, Pruett, Helio Castroneves, Sam Hornish Jr., de Ferran and Jimmy Vasser.
Another chapter in Toyota’s motorsports history ended with the 2005 season, when Toyota concluded its participation as the title sponsor and sole engine supplier for the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series. Beginning with the inception of the program in 1989, TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) designed the 1.6L, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, twin-cam engine for the premier open-wheel training ground for some of auto racing’s most promising young drivers. Toyota Atlantic graduates have won three Indianapolis 500s, one Formula One world championship, four IRL series championships and two CART (Champ Car) crowns. Overall, no less than 17 Toyota Atlantic drivers have gone on to win in either Champ Car or IRL competition.
With respect to NASCAR in 2004, Toyota expanded its motorsports involvement and became the first new engine manufacturer to compete full-time in one of NASCAR’s top three levels of competition in more than 50 years, when it entered the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – formerly the Craftsman Truck Series.
Travis Kvapil added his name to the record books by winning Toyota’s first NASCAR Truck event at Michigan in 2004. The win would be one of four Tundra victories in its maiden season. In addition to the four trips to victory lane, the season was highlighted when David Reutimann earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors. The following year, Toyota Tundra drivers registered nine victories in 2005 as Todd Bodine and Mike Skinner finished third and fi fth, respectively, in driver’s points. In 2006, Toyota added another gem to its list of racing accomplishments when it secured its first NASCAR Manufacturer’s Championship in truck competition, with Todd Bodine becoming the first Tundra driver to earn the Driver’s Championship.
The manufacturer may have been presented with its biggest challenge to date in 2007 as it entered into NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series competition with Michael Waltrip Racing, Bill Davis Racing and Red Bull Racing Team as its first Cup competitors.
That same season, Jason Leffl er cemented his name on the accolade roster when he became the first Toyota driver to win a NASCAR Nationwide Series event at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Later in the year, David Reutimann also found his way to victory lane in Memphis. Reutimann would fi nish as the series’ runner-up, while Leffler was one place behind him in third overall. Leffler also won two pole positions to go along with one each from Reutimann and Dave Blaney.
Additionally, Toyota defended its NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Manufacturer’s Championship in 2007 and again in 2008 for the third consecutive year. Since joining the series at the beginning of the 2004 season, Tundra drivers have now posted 51 wins and captured 60 poles in 125 races.
Toyota has now won six championships since joining the upper-levels of NASCAR competition in 2004 – with four Manufacturer’s Championships, as well as two Driver’s Titles.
Although Toyota race cars and trucks compete in several major series, Toyota’s commitment to motorsports extends to the grassroots level. Through contingency sponsorship of amateur racing, Toyota embraces the competitive spirit that propels racers from entry levels to professional ranks. To add to the list of racing accomplishments, over the past 21 years, Toyota amateur racers have garnered 47 SCCA National Championships.
SPONSORSHIPS
Even with the changing economic situation, sponsorships continue to be a key component of auto racing and showcasing a diverse line-up of manufacturer’s product. For Toyota, that means finding ways to continue to activate its sponsorships, while keeping spending in check.
“The current economic climate has certainly forced us to work with fewer dollars than in the past,” said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. “We’ll continue to selectively invest in sponsorships that provide us the opportunity to increase exposure for the Toyota brand. Nonetheless, we have to find effective ways to re-allocate our resources, while working closely with our dealers.”
For 2009, Toyota has added two new sponsorships as the “official vehicle” at both Chicagoland Speedway and the Martinsville Speedway. Both of those entitlements will run through 2011.
“Chicago obviously offers you the opportunity to be showcased in one of the three largest markets in America, while Martinsville provides great history and a fervent fan-base that’s typical of NASCAR racing,” said Unger.
The new additions bring continued exposure across the United States, as they build upon Toyota-sponsored events in Long Beach, Calif.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Sonoma, Calif.
Toyota is the title sponsor for the fan-favored open-wheel signature event in Long Beach, Calif. (the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach), the NASCAR event in Sonoma (the Toyota/Save Mart 350), the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in Nashville, Tenn. (Toyota Tundra 200) and the Toyota NASCAR All-Star Showdown in Irwindale, Calif.
The manufacturer also serves as the Official Vehicle of Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.; Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, N.Y.; the Nashville Superspeedway in Nashville, Tenn.; Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif.; Infi neon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.; and the United States Auto Club (USAC).
“Official vehicle sponsorships provide us with a cost-effective opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our local dealerships to provide product displays at highly attended sports venues,” says Unger. “While we predominantly use Camrys, Rav4s and Highlanders as the track vehicles and Tundras as the driver introduction vehicles, our track displays allow us to highlight our entire product line-up.”
Of course in terms of sponsorship, it all starts right in Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.’s own backyard with “The Roar On The Shore” — the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, where the company will celebrate its 35th year of involvement in 2009 and feature the first Southern California appearance of the “unified” IndyCar Series.
Dating back to the event’s inaugural running in 1975, where Toyota served as the pace car at the first event, the automaker’s presence in Long Beach has grown to include the event’s title sponsorship since 1980 and the popular 33rd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.
Also referred to as “the American Monaco,” the Toyota Grand Prix offers something for everyone — from the hard-core race enthusiast to the casual fan or people-watcher. Unique, though, is the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with the signature Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race that regularly attracts some of the biggest names in film, television, music, fashion and sports. The race also has raised over $1.5 million for local children’s hospitals throughout Southern California.
In 2005, Toyota and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach reached an agreement to further extend the manufacturer’s title sponsorship through 2010.
While many think of sponsorships solely as an avenue to reach customers, Toyota has also taken the opportunity to use its sponsorships internally.
There’s no greater example than the company’s sponsorship of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota Tundra 200 at the Nashville Superspeedway. Located within driving distance of several Toyota manufacturing facilities, the event played host to over 5,000 Toyota team members in 2008.
NASCAR events at Watkins Glen and Sonoma saw tremendous participation from Toyota’s New York and San Francisco area dealerships. Toyota also continues a successful tradition of its annual “Motorsports Day,” featuring driver appearances both at Toyota headquarters in Torrance, Calif., as well as providing similar opportunities at its manufacturing facilities throughout the country.
“Racing is a great way to further business and bolster associate morale and teamwork,” said Unger. “We never want to forget that it’s our 36,000 associates across the nation and more than 100,000 employees at our Toyota and Lexus dealerships that contribute to our success.”
SPONSORSHIP HISTORY
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 1975-2009
Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race 1977-2009
Toyota U.S. Grand Prix (N.Y.) 1978-1982
Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey 1989-1997
Toyota Atlantic Championship (Series) 1989-2005
Toyota Grand Prix of Miami 1992-1995
IMSA (INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION)
GTU (2.0L silhouette sedan) 1982-1985
GTO (2.1L turbo, silhouette sedan) 1986-1988
GTP (2.1L turbo prototype class) 1989-1993
OFF ROAD RACING
MTEG (Stadium Racing) 1983-1994
SCORE Desert Racing 1983-2000
CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) 1997-2008
WSORR (World Series of Off Road Racing) 2007
TORC (The Off-Road Championship Series) 2009
PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
Pikes Peak (2.1L turbo unlimited class) 1994-2000
CART (CHAMPIONSHIP AUTO RACING TEAMS)
Champ Car (2.65L turbo, open wheel) 1996-2002
Homestead-Miami Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1996-2000
Nazareth Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1997-2001
Michigan International Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1997-2001
Auto Club Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1997-2002
INDY RACING LEAGUE (IRL) INDYCAR SERIES
Toyota Indy 300 (Homestead-Miami Speedway) 2003-2006
Toyota Indy 400 (California Speedway) 2003-2005
NASCAR GOODY'S DASH SERIES
Celica (4.1L) 2000-2004
NASCAR
Toyota All-Star Showdown (Irwindale Speedway) 2003-2009
Toyota Tundra 200 (NCT - Nashville Superspeedway) 2004-2009
Toyota Tundra 200 (NCTS - Milwaukee Mile) 2006-2007
Toyota/Save Mart 350 (NNC - Infineon Raceway) 2007-2009
NHRA DRAG RACING
Celica/Solara Funny Car 2002-2009
SPORT COMPACT (IMPORT) DRAG RACING
Celica/Solara (Pro FWD) 2002-2005
Celica (All Motor, Pro FWD) 2002-2005
Corolla (All Motor) 2005-2009
Scion (All Motor, Pro FWD, Pro RWD, Hot Rod) 2006-2009
GRAND AMERICAN ROLEX SPORTS CAR
Lexus Daytona Prototype (4.35L) 2003-2009
USAC
National Midget Series 2006-2009
Toyota Challenge 2006-2008
National Sprint Car Series 2008-2009
Silver Crown Series 2008-2009
Western Midgets 2008-2009
OFFICIAL VEHICLE
Willow Springs 1982-2009
SCORE (International) 1983-1994
Road America 1996-2009
Nashville Superspeedway 2004-2009
Watkins Glen 2005-2009
Lowe's Motor Speedway 2006-2009
Infineon Raceway 2007-2009
Chicagoland Speedway 2008-2009
Martinsville Speedway 2009
2009 EXECUTIVE BIOS
BOB CARTER
Group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales, (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. Carter joined the organization in 1981 and has held numerous Toyota and Lexus positions. He currently oversees all sales, logistics and marketing activities for Toyota, Scion and Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors.
ED LAUKES
Corporate motorsports marketing manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., since 2007, Laukes began his career with Toyota in 1989. Currently responsible for managing the motorsports marketing operations for the Toyota Division, including motorsports strategy, research and advertising. Laukes also oversees regional and at-track activation, public relations, mobile marketing programs, sponsorships, licensed merchandise and the NASCAR racing web site.
LES UNGER
National motorsports manager for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., and an integral part of the motorsports department since 1984. Unger is responsible for all U.S. motorsports public relations and select sponsorship activities, including oversight of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race and the Toyota Tundra 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway.
DONALD W. BROWN
National motorsports operations manager, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. Brown oversees the business and financial elements of all Toyota motorsports programs and all non-NASCAR racing series evaluation including off-road, NHRA, Grand American Rolex Sports Car and USAC.
ISAKA KANAZAWA
Executive coordinator for Toyota Racing Development (TRD), U.S.A., and primary interface with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) on various motorsports related programs and projects. Kanazawa joined Toyota in 1991 and currently oversees engineering and planning with TMC and Japanese vendors.
LEE WHITE
President and general manager of TRD, U.S.A., White joined the organization in 1997. Currently oversees all day-to-day operations for TRD’s engine and chassis related responsibilities for USAC National Midget Silver Crown and Sprint Car Series, off-road, Grand American Rolex Sports Car, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series programs.
DAVID WILSON
Senior vice president of TRD, U.S.A., Wilson has been with the company since 1989 and is responsible for all of TRD’s day-to-day operations and activities. Also oversees TRD’s administration, engineering and manufacturing groups. Additionally, Wilson is responsible for the development of TRD’s strategic business plans, as well as coordination of strategy and budget with TMS motorsports marketing.
PETE SPENCE
Group vice president and technical director for TRD, U.S.A. who rejoined TRD in 2007 (previously with TRD from 1996–2004). Spence is responsible for establishing the technical direction for all of TRD’s engine and chassis development activities. Also oversees strategic support of TRD-sponsored race teams, as well as coordination of TRD interface with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).
ANDY GRAVES
Vice president of chassis engineering and Toyota NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program manager, Graves joined TRD, U.S.A., in September 2006. Primary responsibilities include all on-track engine support relating to the Cup program including technical support, engine and chassis supply, and testing.
LAERTE ZATTA
Toyota’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series senior program manager, Zatta joined TRD, U.S.A., in 2001 and is the primary contact for TRD-supported teams involved in both series. Also responsible for on-track engine and technical support, as well as testing and chassis coordination relating to both programs.
RICK LANTZ
Joined TRD, U.S.A., in 1995 and in 2007 was appointed as Toyota’s NASCAR Nationwide Series program manager. In 2008, Lantz was named the Engine Track Support Manager and currently oversees technical support for at-track enginerelated activities and performance.
GARY REED
Vice president of Special Racing Projects (SRP) group for TRD, U.S.A., Reed has been with Toyota since 1986. Since moving to TRD in 1995 Reed currently oversees all non-NASCAR racing programs including off-road racing, Grand American Rolex Sports Car, SCCA, USAC Midget, Sprint Car and Silver Crown series, in addition to various special project assignments.
KEVIN KUCHTA
Joined TRD, U.S.A., in 1997 and is the current program and track support manager of Special Racing Projects group. Oversees various Toyota racing programs including Grand American Rolex Sports Car, off-road racing and USAC Midget, Silver Crown and Sprint Car Series.
TRD, U.S.A. (TOYOTA RACING DEVELOPMENT) HISTORY
From its humble beginnings as an aftermarket parts distributor and ‘speed shop’ in 1979, to one of the most accomplished and acclaimed engineering companies in motorsports, it’s been a meteoric and championship-filled story for TRD, U.S.A.
Since its inception in 1979, TRD has developed cutting-edge race engine technology for a wide range of motorsports activities. The unique in-house operation includes complete engine design, development and assembly, as well as production and development engine component manufacturing. Additionally, with its’ entry into the sport of NASCAR, TRD has grown its vehicle engineering capabilities in their new North Carolina-based facility.
This past year, those efforts paid off with the most successful season in Toyota history, culminating with 43 wins in NASCAR’s three national touring series, the most by any manufacturer. Among those victories were a record 21 by Kyle Busch, establishing a new NASCAR record for overall wins in a season.
TRD-designed engines were crucial in not only Busch’s record run, but also in securing the Manufacturer’s Championships with the Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) with 20 wins, and the Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) with 13 triumphs. In addition, Toyota Camrys earned 10 Sprint Cup wins in just its second full season of competition in NASCAR’s top series.
The manufacturer titles were just the tip of the iceberg in terms of championships won in 2008. TRD-built engines carried Johnny Benson to the Truck Series Title, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas to the Grand-Am Daytona Prototype Championship, Jerry Coons, Jr., to the USAC Silver Crown championship and Nic Faas to the USAC Western Midget Series title – the latter two becoming the first Toyotapowered drivers ever to win USAC championships.
A TRD-built Lexus engine also made history in 2008 by winning its third consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona with Chip Ganassi Racing. Scott Pruett, Juan Montoya, Memo Rojas and Dario Franchitti piloted the Daytona Prototype to victory. The win enabled Ganassi as the fi rst team to win three consecutive Rolex 24 races, while Lexus became just the second manufacturer in history to win three straight titles in the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.
Within its state-of-the-art facility based in Costa Mesa, Calif., TRD engineers design, develop and produce the V8-powered Toyota Camry engines for the 2009 NSCS and NNS, as well as the V8-powered Toyota Tundra engines for the NCWTS. TRD also provides engines for most Toyota factory-backed U.S. racing efforts including the United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown, Midget Car Racing Series and Sprint Car competition. Additionally, TRD prepares the Lexus engines used in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, including the engines that have earned six Daytona Prototype championships since Toyota entered the series in 2004.
No longer just an engine “engineering company”, TRD opened its chassis engineering facility in Salisbury, North Carolina in 2008. Approximately 50 TRD engineers, technicians, equipment operators, fabricators and administrators support Toyota’s NASCAR teams out of the new facility. Numerous high-tech chassis development tools and equipment, operated by TRD technicians and engineers, are utilized by Toyota’s NASCAR and Grand-Am race teams.
Established as a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., TRD earned its place in motorsports history in 1992 and 1993 as TRD engines powered Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers to an IMSA GTP record 17 consecutive victories, back-to-back manufacturer’s and drivers (Juan Manuel Fangio II) and victories in both the 1993 Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 1992 and 1993 Sebring 12 Hours.
After conquering the sports car world, TRD U.S.A., then tackled the challenges of open-wheel racing with Juan Montoya registering Toyota’s first Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) victory behind the wheel of a TRD-powered Indy car at the Milwaukee Mile in June 2000. This significant win was the first by an American designed and built engine in 20 years and contributed to the growth and reputation of TRD as a world-class race engine development facility.
After winning CART and IRL manufacturer’s titles in 2002 and 2003, TRD’s openwheel reign culminated in Gil de Ferran’s win in the 2003 Indianapolis 500.
In partnership, TMS and TRD have earned other many illustrious accomplishments in American racing history, including four Rolex 24 at Daytona victories, numerous Baja 500 and 1000 wins and Manufacturer’s Championships in NNS and NCWTS, as well as IRL, CART, IMSA, Grand-Am, MTEG, SCORE, CORR and WSORR competition.
TRD engines helped Toyota make history in 2004, when Toyota became the first new engine manufacturer to compete full-time in one of NASCAR’s top three levels of competition in more than 50 years, when it entered the NCWTS. After TRD engines won 13 truck races in 2004 and 2005, history was again made in 2006 when Toyota secured its first NASCAR Manufacturer’s Championship in truck competition. Todd Bodine became the first Toyota Tundra driver to earn the coveted Driver’s Championship. Over the past five years, TRD engines have powered Tundras to three consecutive Manufacturer’s Championships (2006 - 2008).
In just three seasons of USAC competition, Toyota engines have registered two victories each in the prestigious Copper World Classic and Turkey Night Grand Prix, as well as championships in Silver Crown and Midget competition.
Additional records of historical achievements include five Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Championships (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999), import drag racing class championships (2004, 2006 and 2007), plus multiple wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Baja 500 and 1000, and a landmark victory at the 2006 Copper World Classic, Toyota’s first race in the USAC National Midget Car Series.
From its original assignment in the U.S. to serve as an aftermarket performance parts distributor for TRD Japan, TRD, U.S.A., has since established itself as a world-class race engineering organization and grown to employ more than 200 highly skilled designers, engineers, engine builders, technicians, executives and administrative professionals.
TRD, U.S.A. - COSTA MESA, CALIF.
Facility Opening 1995 (Baker); 2001 (Fischer)
Capacity 47,000 sq. ft. (Baker); 32,000 sq. ft. (Fischer)
Associates 180
Functions:
TOYOTA MOTORSPORTS IN AMERICA - TIMELINE
1967TOYOTA IN NASCAR TIMELINE 2002 - PRESENT
JANUARY 2002
NASCAR welcomes Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., to compete in the Craftsman Truck Series.
MARCH 2002
Design begins on the Toyota Tundra body for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
MAY 2002
Design begins on the Toyota Tundra NASCAR V8 engine.
FEBRUARY 12, 2003
Toyota formally announces participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series beginning in 2004.
NOVEMBER 14, 2003
Toyota announces partnerships with four teams - Bang Racing, Bill Davis Racing, Innovative Motorsports and
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports - to race Toyota Tundras in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2004.
FEBRUARY 13, 2004
The Toyota Tundra makes its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race debut at Daytona International Speedway. Travis Kvapil finishes second.
MARCH 12, 2004
Toyota earns its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole position with rookie David Reutimann at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
JULY 31, 2004
Toyota earns its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory when Travis Kvapil captures the checkered flag at Michigan International Speedway.
OCTOBER 16, 2004
Toyota earns its fourth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win of its inaugural season with Todd Bodine at Texas Motor Speedway.
2005 SEASON
Toyota Tundras registers 9 wins and 13 pole positions in the 2005 Season.
JANUARY 24, 2006
Toyota announces its three 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Teams: Bill Davis Racing (BDR), Team Red Bull (TRD) and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).
NOVEMBER 3, 2006
Toyota clinches its first NCTS manufacturer's title at Texas Motor Speedway with Mike Skinner's third-place finish.
NOVEMBER 4, 2006
Toyota announces its 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Teams: Braun Racing (BR) and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).
NOVEMBER 17, 2006
Toyota clinches its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver's championship with Todd Bodine of Germain Racing. Toyota finishes the season with 12 wins and 14 pole positions.
FEBRUARY 16, 2007
Toyota wins its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway when Jack Sprague crosses the finish line first after starting from the pole.
FEBRUARY 18, 2007
The Toyota Camry makes its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race debut at Daytona International Speedway. Four Camry drivers - Dave Blaney, Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip - take the green flag in the Daytona 500.
FEBRUARY 24, 2007
Toyota driver Dave Blaney starts from the pole position in the NASCAR Busch Series race at California Speedway. It marks the inaugural pole position for the Camry in NASCAR competition.
MARCH 31, 2007
Tundra driver Mike Skinner wins his third consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Virginia's Martinsville Speedway, following wins in the two previous events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and California Speedway.
MAY 27, 2007
Camry driver Brian Vickers finishes fifth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway - the first top-five finish for a Toyota.
JUNE 29, 2007
Toyota earns its first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series pole position with Dave Blaney at New Hampshire International Speedway.
JULY 28, 2007
Toyota earns its first NASCAR Busch Series victory when Jason Leffler captures the checkered flag at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2007
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announce that the three-time championship-winning team will campaign Camrys for drivers Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. JGR's NASCAR Nationwide Series teams will also utilize Camrys.
OCTOBER 5, 2007
Michael Waltrip earns the second pole position for a Toyota Camry in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition at Talladega Superspeedway. Camry drivers earn four of the top-five starting positions for the race, including both spots on the front row.
OCTOBER 7, 2007
Dave Blaney records the best result for a Camry in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with a third-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway.
OCTOBER 20, 2007
Toyota clinches its second consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturer's title at Virginia's Martinsville Speedway.
OCTOBER 27, 2007
Toyota earns its second NASCAR Busch Series win when David Reutimann captures the checkered flag at Memphis Motorsports Park.
NOVEMBER 9, 2007
Hall of Fame Racing announces they will field a Toyota Camry full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for driver J.J. Yeley.
NOVEMBER 16, 2007
The Toyota Tundra makes its 100th start in the Craftsman Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mike Skinner is the only Tundra driver to start all 100 races since Toyota entered the NCTS in 2004.
2007 SEASON
Tundras register 13 wins and 17 pole positions in the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Camrys record two poles, two top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, as well as two wins and four pole positions in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season.
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