This is an interesting take on things........
August 11, 2005
Doh! Busch’s Defection is All About Toyota
By Allison Wagda
I just figured it out. Toyota is going with Penske in '07. Or
maybe even next year.
That’s why Kurt Busch stabbed his car owner and
acknowledged mentor in the back. That has to be it.
Why else would any driver in their right mind, loyalty aside, toss away what is
arguably one of the best rides in all of NASCAR?
At Roush, he has the equipment. He has the support of his owner. He has Jimmy
Fenig (at least for now). He has a score of teammates who let him lead laps for
bonus points when they are faster. Even his sponsors, for some inexplicable reason,
seem to like him.
Enter Toyota, stage left.
Now, it isn’t that much of a revelation that Penske could be, and even likely would be,
one of the teams Toyota would use to launch itself into the NASCAR stratosphere.
Penske races Toyota in the IRL. But this latest news from Kurt Busch absolutely
confirms it, in my opinion.
It’s the only thing that makes sense. Toyota’s arrival is imminent, perhaps even in
2006 (remember, when Brian France spoke with the media in June, he refused to
say that Toyota couldn’t join in 2006 even if they missed the July 1st deadline).
Toyota’s corporate group is very savvy about the racing world – at least in the racing
world outside of American stock cars. And they know that champions sell products.
As with any sports sponsorship, sponsoring a champion usually adds cache to your
product. People usually like to root for winners. Although a Chase title doesn’t exactly
equate to a winning season or huge numbers of adoring fans…but I digress.
In NASCAR, there are few past champions to choose from. Tony Stewart? Firmly
ensconced at JGR and already probably has more money than money could buy.
Plus, he’s a guy who moved back to his childhood home recently. Not even just his
hometown mind you, but actually into his old modest home. That’s a man who is not
(at least these days) for sale.
Kenseth? Not a contender right now (emphasis on right now) mired back in 15th in
the standings, and is perhaps too staid for Toyota’s taste. Gordon? Unless
Childress can be bought into the Toyota camp, I don’t see Gordon driving a Celica or
whatever Toyota hopes to race. His business interests are too closely tied to RCR.
And the only person without a title who could make Toyota salivate would be Dale Jr,
and he’s not going to go to Penske. RCR maybe someday, but not Penske and not
Miller Lite. Not to say DEI won’t make the switch to Toyota but that’s another story for
another day.
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