The scoop on Toyota
Chris asked in comments in the previous post about Toyota and qualifying for 2007. Toyota definitely has an uphill climb, at least early in the year. But Ford, Chevy and Dodge won't be the only cars running the Daytona 500 (which is just three months, one week and one day away, if you're keeping track at home).
Here's Dustin Long's breakdown:
Remember that Dale Jarrett has a champion's provisional and Dave Blaney is in the top 35 in car owner points. Now, the champion's provisional is likely to be changed for next year. I'm hearing it could be a case where you have so many for the year (like maybe 6) and once you use that up, you're done. We'll see.At last count -- and an unofficial one at that -- I see 47 sponsored full-time teams. (This doesn't count the Chad Chaffins, Kirk Shelmerdines and Morgan Shepherds.)
I see the top 36 in points along with:
The No. 00 of David Reutimann from Michael Waltrip Racing
The NO. 55 of Michael Waltrip
The NO. 44 of Dale Jarrett for MWR
The No. 32 from PPI if there's sponsorship
The No. 4 from Morgan-McClure if there's sponsorship
The NO. 49 from BAM Racing if there's sponsorship
The No. 83 of Brian Vickers with Team Red Bull
The NO. 84 of A.J. Allmendinger with Team Red Bull
the No. 15 of Paul Mendard with DEI
the No. 13 of Joe Nemechek for Ginn Racing
The No. 36 of Jeremy Mayfield with Bill Davis Racing.
So there you have it: Toyota will have at least one (Blaney) and probably two (Jarrett) cars in the 500, maybe more.
But, really, the story isn't Toyota so much as it's 49 cars trying to get into a 43-car race. Is this the end of the field filler? Will this be the last time we see Chad Chaffin or Mike Garvey or Hermie Sadler in a Cup race? Will some of those teams drop down to Cup Jr. and take on the big boys on Saturdays? What happens if you're not among the top 43? What happens if Toyota's not among the top 43? What happens if Toyota gets all of its cars in the top 43?
About the only thing for sure in 2007 is that Tony Stewart will win the Cup title. Beyond that, it's wiiiiide open.
Comments (2)
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Number 3 for Tony would be great. I just hope teams will run their own race next year and let Toyota's fall where they may. Looking over their shoulders at the Camry's will not be healthy for anyone, except the press of course.
Posted on November 10, 2006 10:43 AM
The one thing I find amusing is that the word Toyota is thrown around Nascar circles like this is the 1st time ever they will race. Um, if I am not mistaken it seems that in open wheel they are pretty big, and there is also that little series called Craftsman that Toyota runs well in. Sure there will be the learning curve entering the Cup level, but I would not be surprised to see at least one Toyota Car make it to the chase next year...this year proves that you don't really need the fastest car every week, just the most consistent.
Thanks John for all the info!! Thought it would make for some interesting conversation over the break!
Posted on November 10, 2006 6:07 PM