Not mine, but I like it.
Posted on 06/04/2003 9:45:23 AM PDT by Provost-Marshal
It's Time To Tell NASCAR How We Feel About Toyota
By Denise Thompson
June 4, 2003
I cannot believe what I have been hearing, and reading.
Much to the dismay of some fans, it looks like Toyota is going to get the chance to compete in the American sport of NASCAR.
I belong to several NASCAR fans private groups online and can honestly say that the majority of these fans are not just in shock at this news, but are as mad as Tony Stewart and his crew chief, Greg Zippadeli, were when NASCAR confiscated Stewart's Home Depot Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway earlier in April. Now it's come to light that NASCAR has given that car to the Japanese to help them produce a Toyota race car.
However, NASCAR has denied that Stewart's car was ever given to anyone and stated that the car is still in the R & D shop. If what NASCAR says is true, then why is Stewart and Zippadeli upset with NASCAR?
There are two reasons why most of the fans don't want to see Toyota in NASCAR.
The first reason: During World War II, not only did some of these fans lose a grandfather, husband, dad, uncle, brother, cousin and or a dear friend, while other fans may have a loved one that is or was permanently injured, as losing their eye sight or even a limb if not two, during the sneak attack on our American troops, that fateful day on December 7, 1941 known as "The Attack at Pearl Harbor." The Japanese brutally killed our boys on the march to Bataan, on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima, as well as the P.O.W. camps, our American soldiers were brutally murdered and dismembered. It's not that we Americans hold a grudge, it's just the Japanese have never apologized to the United States for any of these cowardly acts.
Don't get me wrong, we realize that the Dodge's are now a German vehicle (Daimler owns 51% while Chrysler owns 49%), and we don't mind having foreign cars in NASCAR such as the Dodge, but it was first an American manufactured vehicle. The fans just don't want to see any foreign made cars in NASCAR.
Secondly: Traditionally this sport was based in the south and has traveled throughout the United States. Drivers like Ned Jarrett, Lee Petty, Ralph Earnhardt and Curtis Turner, just to mention a few, began this sport on the beaches of Florida and North Carolina, as well as dirt tracks in North Carolina. This sport has been passed from generation to generations of American families. What happened to the tradition of this sport? This is what the fans are asking. Why does Mike Helton or even Bill France have the right to change that? Looking at the whole picture, if Toyota is allowed to race in NASCAR, what's next? Are we going to open the door to Italy, France, Russia, China, or the rest of the world. Where does it end? Does this sport go International? Will we be actively looking for foreign drivers? Will NASCAR be building tracks in other countries?
No longer will NASCAR be an American sport. Like so many other things we have lost, it's time for the fans to stand up and fight for this by letting NASCAR know how we feel about it.
I am speaking on behalf of the majority of the NASCAR fans, We do not want Toyota or any other foreign made car in the sport of NASCAR. We want to keep the tradition and we want to keep NASCAR the way it is right now, today.
Many fans have fallen in love with the sport. Don't let NASCAR or anyone else take it away from us. You can contact NASCAR at the following address:
NASCAR 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
NASCAR is the other end of the spectrum. Competition amongst makers is artificially enforced, and easier to do with yesterday's technology. A case can be made that it's a better show - which it is, to someone who wants to see close racin' and controverisal finishes. It's not a good show to someone who wants to see tomorrow's technology and hear what 19000 rpm sounds like.
To each his own. I can appreciate both. But what I really LOVE to see is NASCAR on road courses. It's a blast to watch.
It is hugh. And vey, vey series.
NASCAR has over-reacted from Dale's death, and is taking the fun out of things. I want to see passing in the grass again. F-1 just keeps getting better and better, if you ask me.
And this has exactly what to do with Toyota building cars for NASCAR?
Possible. When I watched Senna race, I knew at the time I was watching the best. Unfortunately, the inevitable comparisons will have to be argued and left unsettled. But i think everyone can agree that they are both in very elite company.
Agreed, but the article and the thread are specific to NASCAR. If I want to talk about F1 racing, I'll find a thread about it, or start one.
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