Toyota in WSJ

[nascarnation]

In Nascar's fan base, "you get a high degree of loyalty" to brands that compete in the race, says Dave Illingworth, a senior vice president at Toyota's U.S. sales unit who is in charge of Toyota's racing activities in the U.S. "Nascar gives us access to its 75 million fans we would like to take advantage of."

[numrounofan]

"Nascar gives us access to its 75 million fans we would like to take advantage of."

yeah...the big 3 have been doing that for years........

[OWNUT]

The best thing that ever happened to Open Wheel racing in the US is Toyota went to Nascar. I think it is safe to say if they spend like they did in CART and the IRL. One of the present Manufactuers or even more then one will be gone. The IRL might have been expensive, but it still was maybe 1/4 of what it cost to run in Nascar now.

The US based car companies are losing billions every quarter. They can not justify the hundreds of Millions a year spent on Nascar when the car does not look like any product they have on the market.

Sponsorship is running in the area of 20 miilion a car for the season. Bass pro shops is reported to be paying DEI 20 million for a car with little success and a driver who is a rookie. Now how long do you think Nascar sponsor are going to be able to pay out at the increasing rate of Sponsorship. Yes Nascar has 5.0 ratings, but why did NBC want out of Nascar so bad? Why did ISC stock take a huge hit when the new TV contract was signed?

[MD-IRLFAN]

Not to pile on. But IMO the 'brand loyalty' card is played out. That could still be said 15-20 years ago, but not anymore. Although, I'd be interested to see just how many Toyota's are already in NASCAR parking lots during races. Probably a lot more than Ford/GM/Dodge would like to know.

[OWNUT]

Not to pile on. But IMO the 'brand loyalty' card is played out. That could still be said 15-20 years ago, but not anymore. Although, I'd be interested to see just how many Toyota's are already in NASCAR parking lots during races. Probably a lot more than Ford/GM/Dodge would like to know.

I have been going to both Nascar races and the IRL race in Richmond since 2003 and every year you see less and less of the good old boy crowd and a more sophisticated crowd at the Cup races. The IRL races look more and more like the old Nascar good old boy crowd. I would agree with you that there are more Toyota's and other none US based cars in the parking lot.

[OWNUT]

I wish that OW racing would merge or one would just die. Call me crazy, but every year I talk to more and more fans that are getting tired of Nascar. It cost to much to see and they are feeling more and more like the fans are only important if they spend money. Nascar will kill itself faster then Open Wheel racing could kill itself.

I know from my experience with going to CART and IRL races the fans get a lot more for their dollar then they ever will from Nascar. I will use Richmond as an example. Cup ticket cost me 85.00 and gets me a seat at the race. A 400 lap race that maybe 150 are truly worth watching. IRL ticket package cost me 95.00 and I get to be in the pits Friday and Saturday. I get a Lunch Buffet with driver appearences. I get 220 laps of great racing. The fans with pit passes are allowed to go into all areas of the pits. Nascar you are restricted to a fenced in area. The IRL drivers do not try to avoid the fans and are willing to spend time with them. Nascar drivers run as fast as they can. Expect for the older drivers who still respect fans. I would imagine the Champ Car is simular to the IRL in this respect.

[Lee Roy]

I know from my experience with going to CART and IRL races the fans get a lot more for their dollar then they ever will from Nascar. I will use Richmond as an example. Cup ticket cost me 85.00 and gets me a seat at the race. A 400 lap race that maybe 150 are truly worth watching. IRL ticket package cost me 95.00 and I get to be in the pits Friday and Saturday. I get a Lunch Buffet with driver appearences. I get 220 laps of great racing. The fans with pit passes are allowed to go into all areas of the pits. Nascar you are restricted to a fenced in area. The IRL drivers do not try to avoid the fans and are willing to spend time with them. Nascar drivers run as fast as they can. Expect for the older drivers who still respect fans. I would imagine the Champ Car is simular to the IRL in this respect.

Yet, the two NASCAR Cup races at Richmond continue to sell out year after year after year. Also, you compared $95 for a three day IRL package to $85 for just race day for the Cup race.

[jkentner15]

I think these next couple years are critical for NASCAR. We all know Toyota will spend an arm and a leg trying to beat the competition. The difference is will it work in NASCAR? If it does, how will NASCAR respond? NASCAR is still growing. I can't even keep track of the teams that are trying to run a full season, but isn't it way above the 43 mark?

[OWNUT]

Yet, the two NASCAR Cup races at Richmond continue to sell out year after year after year. Also, you compared $95 for a three day IRL package to $85 for just race day for the Cup race.

I know that when you leave Richmond after the IRL race their is more of a buzz about the racing then when the Cup race is over. The growth of the IRL race is pretty good and I hope that they can reach a sell out in 5 years. Yes that is an optimistic view. I am shocked that Richmond does not have a requirment to buy an IRL ticket to get Cup Season tickets for any new season ticket holders. I have been told by track employees that the IRL turned this down they do not want that.

OK here is a better comparison.

Friday
Cup IRL
Busch Ticket required 35.00 GA 20.00 USAC Races
Pits 65.00 25.00 Pit Pass

Saturday
Cup Ticket 85.00 lowest ticket cost 35.00 IRL practice/ quals & USAC
Pit Pas & Hosptality 85.00 40.00 Pit & Hospitality.

[OWNUT]

I think these next couple years are critical for NASCAR. We all know Toyota will spend an arm and a leg trying to beat the competition. The difference is will it work in NASCAR? If it does, how will NASCAR respond? NASCAR is still growing. I can't even keep track of the teams that are trying to run a full season, but isn't it way above the 43 mark?

It is around the 43 team mark. There a tons of teams attempting to race a limited schedule. It is getting harder for teams with less then 3 cars to do the limited schedule.

If Jack Rousch and other owners are screaming about the cost now just wait another 2 years. Rousch has already stated that Toyota is dangerous for Nascar and will kill a lot of teams.

[Lee Roy]

I know that when you leave Richmond after the IRL race their is more of a buzz about the racing then when the Cup race is over. The growth of the IRL race is pretty good and I hope that they can reach a sell out in 5 years. Yes that is an optimistic view.

That's your view. My view is that the two Cup races will still be selling out year after year after year when the IRL race at Richmond has been "condensed".

[Jim Wilke]

'Big Momma's House 2' was number one at the box office last weekend.

[Jim Wilke]

"Nascar gives us access to its 75 million fans we would like to take advantage of."

I don't think even the NFL claims 75 million fans.

[sweaty]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, I think, is that another way Toyota is going to increase costs in NASCAR is talent.
Toyota is already sniffing around some of the top drivers with preliminary money offers to sign up with Toyota teams. Kevin Harvick was interviewed in the AZ Republic recently and talked about it. He said something to the effect that the contract offers are going to be much larger which the present teams are going to have to match or beat.
No question Toyota changes the game. They're in to win and win soon and big.

[OWNUT]

That's your view. My view is that the two Cup races will still be selling out year after year after year when the IRL race at Richmond has been "condensed".

No doubt it will keep selling out. What do you mean by Richmond IRL condensed?