A model of the 2007 Toyota Camry.
Credit: Toyota Motorsports Media
Official Release
January 23, 2006
02:41 PM EST (19:41 GMT)
NASCAR and Toyota announced Monday the manufacturer's plans to expand its racing program by competing in the Nextel Cup and Busch series starting in 2007, fielding the Camry model.
The expansion will follow three years of Toyota competing in the Craftsman Truck Series, and will result in all three of NASCAR's national series having four manufacturers competing, as Toyota will join Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford.
"NASCAR welcomes Toyota to the greatest auto racing in the world," said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France, who made the announcement at NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C.
"Toyota's entry into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series is good for drivers, teams and the fans. This move provides for even more intense competition on the track between drivers and manufacturers, which will provide more excitement and fan interest. Toyota's entry also provides more options for drivers and teams, which will increase the competition between manufacturers."
http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/01/23/toyota.cup/index.html