Toyota’s participation in NASCAR racing includes fielding three Toyota Camry teams in the NEXTEL Cup Series. For Les Unger, national motorsports manager for Toyota Motors Sales, USA, Toyota’s entry into cup racing with three Camry teams puts the sedan in front of a huge and passionate following. “There are approximately 75 million fans that watch cup racing and we want to build on this enthusiastic and loyal fan base by entering the NEXTEL and Busch Cup Series in 2007, said Unger. “We feel motorsports provides a unique avenue to reach out and touch another form of the population, and expose the company brand.”

While racing Camrys in America is new, Toyota has participated for 24 years in American professional auto racing, throughout the United States, such as NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series. Some recent accomplishments are NASCAR victories at historic race tracks including Bristol and Richmond, along with wins at more modern raceways, such as Las Vegas and Texas. Other achievements include wins at the 2003 Indianapolis 500; the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring sports car classics; and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb; and the Baja 500 and the Baja 1,000. Additionally, Toyota’s engines have been the powerplant for Manufacturer’s and Driver’s championships in a variety of racing series -- including the IRL, CART, IMSA, SCORE, MTEG, CORR and the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series. Racing in the NEXTEL Series will be part of an “overall marketing umbrella, where we are trying to reach a certain segment of the population,” said Unger. “Obviously, NASCAR is the most popular form of motorsports racing in the U.S.”

It would seem fitting, then, that the most popular car in America be a part of NASCAR, as Toyota celebrates 50 years of selling cars in America, and increases its commitment to make more cars here in the future, one that Toyota is increasingly positive about.

“People are living longer and driving longer,” said Press. “Baby Boomers are at 78 million strong, and they are alive and well and living to an average age of 77 plus. This generation grew up with the muscle car; they love the freedom that automobiles provide and won't give them up anytime soon,” said Press

“In fact, CNW Research notes that seven vehicles---more than half---of the 13 cars the average American buys over a lifetime, are purchased after the head of the household turns 50.When you realize that 60 percent of the US population will be 50 in the next five years--and that those same people control more than half of all consumer spending, you realize that a truly enormous opportunity lies ahead, ” said Press.

From the development of state-of-the-art technology, to racing and manufacturing in the US, it’s clear that Toyota has done its homework--at home, across the seas; and, at home, in the US -- where it celebrates five decades of investing, listening, building and engineering products that have captured an ever-growing vote of confidence in a land that loves the automobile. Soon 50, this Japanese automaker has spun gold in America-from its Camry to the Prius and the all-new Tundra.