The racing circuits of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) will see a new competitor with the entry of Toyota. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that it will start running cars on NASCAR’s premier stock car series the Nextel Cup and the Busch Series starting 2007 by fielding the Toyota Camry. This will be the first time a foreign auto manufacturer has competed in NASCAR’s top series since the ‘50s when Jaguar ran several races. Until Toyota’s entry, only America’s Big Three automakers – Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford - have campaigned cars in the premier Nextel Cup.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France made the announcement together with Dave Illingworth, senior vice president and chief planning and administrative officer for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. last Monday at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, NC. He says that the arrival of Toyota as the fourth competitor in the circuits is a good for drivers, teams and 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” announced France.

Illingworth said that Toyota has competed and won in different series and tracks across the country for 24 year and said that“…if you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR”. Previously, Toyota has participated successfully in the Goody’s Dash Series for 4-cylinder sedans as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fielding the Tundra in 2004. “We look forward to February of 2007 when the green flag waves to start the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup features the Toyota Camry”, Illingworth enthused. 2007 will be a stellar year for Toyota as the automaker will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United States.

The Toyota Camry, built in Georgetown, Kentucky will represent the automaker at the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. The Camry has been the bestselling car in America for eight years with more than 6.5 million Camry’s sold.