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When Toyota announced it was going to go Cup racing, many fans were upset that NASCAR would allow a “foreign” manufacturer into the sport.
In hindsight, that very move could become one of the smartest things NASCAR chairman Brian France has ever done.
Whether you’re a Toyota fan or not, think about it: if Chevrolet/General Motors and Chrysler decide that the money they’re putting into their respective NASCAR programs just isn’t getting the return on investment they hoped for – namely, new car sales in dealer showrooms – how long do you think they’ll continue funneling tens of millions of dollars each year in financial support to teams and the sport as a whole?
In an ironic twist, we should all probably thank Toyota for making the decision to come to Cup, because in a sense, the Japanese company could wind up being one of the saviors of NASCAR indirectly.
What’s more, if Chevy and Dodge give up their support, France is leaving the door wide open for other foreign automobile manufacturers to become involved with the sport.
There’s enough contenders, including Hyundai, Nissan, Kia, and particularly, Honda. And while many fans will likely turn away from the sport because of its further internationalization, in these difficult economic times we should embrace any company – foreign or domestic – that wants to come into the sport, has the wherewithal to spend tens of millions of dollars in development and production.
No, I’m not drinking NASCAR’s Kool-Aid. Rather, I’m being realistic. We need competition among manufacturers, both in the showrooms and on the racetrack. We need to attract other companies to join the fold and fill voids that may be created if other companies are forced to leave due to economics or other reasons.
I’m just as American as most of you and I’m still not totally comfortable with a “foreign” manufacturer in the sport. But given a choice between that or not having any manufacturers – and potentially no sport, as a result – I’ll take the former rather than the latter any day, week, month, year, decade or millennium.
So, to Honda and all other companies that may have aspirations to go Cup racing any time soon, it’s pretty clear you need NASCAR as much as NASCAR needs you in the current economy.
Therefore, we welcome you with open arms and have just three words for you:
“Bring It On!”
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/15 at 01:55 AMThat whole “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” ideal just has no real basis nowadays. Sure, maybe back in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s when the drivers actually drove the actual “stock” cars on the track, but for the last decade or so, we have a template chassis with Chevy, Ford and Dodge stickers slapped on them.
Look at that picture of Brian Vickers’ car. Then take a look at a Chevy. Then a Ford. Then a Dodge. Same bodystyle. Nothing to differentiate between manufacturers. In fact, you look at the Toyota that Vickers’ is driving and then look at a Camry at your local Toyota dealer. They don’t really look alike. And you can say the same thing for the Impala SS, the Fusion, or the Charger.
I guess to some degree many (including myself) will be sad if and when American automakers decide that the return is no longer worth the money they put into NASCAR, but like you Jerry, I would rather have a Honda or Nissan car out there and be able to watch the sport I love every week than have everyone parked with no rides.
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