DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Toyota is seeking information to prepare a path for entry into NASCAR's Busch Series, according to a report Saturday in That's Racin', the online motorsports component of The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.
The report says Busch Series officials confirmed Toyota has inquired about NASCAR rules for manufacturer participation in the Busch Series. However, NASCAR has received no proposals yet for a car model or engine.
Toyota achieved success with a factory-supported endeavor in the now defunct NASCAR Goody's Dash Series for subcompact sedans in 2001-2003, and began competing last year in the Craftsman Truck Series with its Tundra pickup brand and a special-for-NASCAR 5.7-liter V8 engine.
A Busch Series effort would take the Japanese automaker on a different route compared with Dodge, which jumped from the Truck Series to the Cup ranks in 2001.
What this means to you: Toyota is serious about working itself into the fabric of American life. Whether this current tack will work all depends on your opinion about the evolution of NASCAR from a strictly American sport to one with international flavor.
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