Non Tundra, but still interesting Toyota news
Roush declares 'war' on Toyota
Cup owner gears for 'siege,' commits extra $10 million
USA Today 01/25/2007
Authors: Nate Ryan and Seth Livingstone
(Copyright 2007)
CONCORD, N.C. -- Toyota hasn't raced its Camry in Nextel Cup yet, but Jack Roush declared war
on the series' newest manufacturer in a verbal assault laced with military terminology and
fighting words during the media tour Wednesday.
Proclaiming he was "preparing for a siege," Roush has committed to invest an extra $10 million
and said Roush Racing was close to completing a sale of a 25% to 50% stake in the team to
Boston Red Sox owner John Henry and his Fenway Sports Group.
Roush said both moves were prompted by fear of being outspent by Toyota, which enters NASCAR's
premier circuit this year.
"We're going to go to war with them, and they should give us their best shot because we'll be
giving as good as we take," Roush said. "Toyota will bring changes in the way we conduct
business. They have deep pockets ... They'll try to put the rest of us in a catch-up scenario,
and I'm trying to prepare for that."
To fund the $20 million needed to field a championship-caliber car, Roush said teams
traditionally have drawn 90% of their budgets from sponsors, endorsements and winnings and 10%
from manufacturers.
"Toyota can bring 50% of the money a team can spend," Roush said. "That puts a bigger load on
Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge. It puts pressure on sponsors to make up the shortfall.
"Upsetting that balance could be immediate and catastrophic."
Les Unger, the national motor sports manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA, said Toyota thinks
its Nextel Cup budget is comparable to that of Ford, General Motors and Dodge.
"We have been interested in what the other manufacturers are spending and have been trying to gauge those numbers, but they're impossible to get," Unger said. "Therefore, I don't know how
people can claim that Toyota is outspending the competition without knowing what the other
manufacturers spend."
Roush said Ford was trying to approve increasing its NASCAR support. The ailing automaker
canceled its sponsorship of the Champ Car World Series on Wednesday.
Dan Davis, the director of Ford Racing Technology, said the involvement with Champ Car has
been hobbled by its inability to expand its pace car program or get its cars in front of
racegoers since some events signed exclusive deals with other manufacturers.
"It's a very difficult decision," Davis said.
Roush said the impending partnership with Henry would bring an infusion of cash. Roush Racing
has scheduled a news conference Feb. 14 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Rival Chevrolet owner Rick Hendrick wasn't as worried about the world's No. 2 automaker.
"I don't see Toyota being any more a threat than any of the other teams," Hendrick said.
"Toyota has a lot of money, but as long as NASCAR keeps the rules where they are, I think
we'll be in good shape.
Roush Toughens Rhetoric Against Toyota - Washington Post 01/25/2007
Sox owner near NASCAR deal - Boston Globe 01/25/2007
Roush not frightened by the Toyota monster - Kansas City Star 01/25/2007
Roush: 'I expect to hand Toyota their head' - Lexington Herald-Leader 01/25/2007
Roush to combat Toyota resources - Atlanta Journal-Constitution 01/25/2007
Roush is ready for a fight - Dallas Morning News 01/25/2007
Roush Says Deal Is Near to Sell Stake in Nascar Team to Fenway - Bloomberg 01/24/2007
Roush says he's ready for challenge from Toyota - Winston-Salem Journal 01/25/2007
Roush ready to step up to the plate vs. Toyota - Nascar.com 01/24/2007
Toyota: External Affairs
Content: Lone Buffalo, Inc.
|
Linear Mode
