The auto dealers near Santa Ana tell us that Toyota has a heavy stance in the North American NASCAR racing franchise. Recently, the Toyota Camry TRD NextGen Cup Series car debuted in May and the Supra is on its way to NASCAR Xfinity Series soon, and now the Japanese carmaker has revealed its latest entry – a Tundra TRD Pro is on route to the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.
What Is NASCAR?
Car experts near Santa Ana auto dealers make it clear that NASCAR was founded on February 21, 1948. NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Racing. Today, NASCAR racing has become one of America’s most popular spectator sports, besides a multi-billion-dollar industry.
NASCAR was established by William “Bill” France Sr. (1909-1992), a mechanic and auto repair shop owner from Washington, D.C., who in the mid-1930s relocated to Daytona Beach, Florida. The auto dealers near Santa Ana confirm that Daytona was a well-known gathering spot for racing enthusiasts, and France was knee-deep in racing cars and promoting races. When he noticed how racing rules could differ from event to event and how underhanded promoters could fly the coop with prize money, France sensed a demand for a governing body to license and promote racing. He brought together members of the racing community to talk about the idea, and NASCAR was born. France was NASCAR’s first president and played a primary role in shaping its development in the sport’s early years.
NASCAR had its first Strictly Stock race on June 19, 1949, at the Charlotte Speedway in North Carolina. Sales representatives at auto dealers near Santa Ana say there were around 13,000 fans present to watch Glenn Dunnaway finish the 200-lap race, but it was Jim Roper who won the $2,000 prize after Dunnaway was disqualified for illegal rear springs on his vehicle. When NASCAR was in its infancy, competitors drove the same cars that ordinary people drove on the street with little changes. However, nowadays, vehicles are highly customized.
What’s The Difference Between NASCAR And F1?
When you view a Formula 1 race and a NASCAR, you can tell right off the bat the difference between the cars. For instance, the sedan chassis used by NASCAR is meant to be very relatable to the vehicles that carmakers sell to the public. The driver is right inside the vehicle, and the wheels are right underneath the chassis itself. As a matter of fact, besides the branding, it would not be irrational to see one of those vehicles on America’s highways. On the other hand, you will never see anything similar to a Formula 1 car on any everyday road.
NASCAR vehicles are modified versions of a “stock” chassis from a “normal” vehicle such as a Toyota. Also, even though NASCAR is mainly an American sport, Japanese cars such as Toyota have been an integral part of the American car market since before NASCAR even existed.
When it comes to Formula 1, teams have to construct their own vehicle. F1 vehicles are enhanced for the atmosphere. So, they are modified in a way to cut through wind resistance. They are not the most good-looking cars, and they aren’t something you would take your family out in either, but they are damn fast!
When Will the Tundra Debut at NASCAR?
Appearing on February 18, 2022, the Tundra TRD Pro will act as Toyota’s most recent attempt to nail another title win, adding an eight driver championship and 11 manufacturer’s championship first place trophies under its belt. Paul Doleshal, the General Manager Motorsports and Assets at Toyota Motors North America said that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has always been extremely important to Toyota because it ads up on the history and focus to the car company. He added that the launch of the new Tundra is a really exciting time for Toyota because the company can reflect the new styling of the NASCAR Tundra with the TRD Pro design. He further added that the launch of the new Tundra allows Toyota to continue ensuring the on-track production will resemble its production counterparts that can be found in Toyota showrooms.
Doleshal also mentioned that the race you see before you is a mirror image of the new Tundra that was released recently. Nevertheless, besides the truck bed and the square form that calls the shots on the Tundra, the NASCAR version has very little in common with the road form. Sitting lower than a typical stock vehicle, the TRD Pro version has been totally changed to NASCAR specifications with a new body kit for better aerodynamics, racing slicks on the wheels, and without a doubt, a race-spec engine.
Identical touches throughout the vehicle are things such as the grille, headlights, and hood, all twin with the stock model. Kyle Busch, the team owner of Kyle Busch Motorsports said, “Toyota and TRD are always working with us to ensure we’re as competitive as possible on the race track, but also ensuring that the body styling of our Tundras matches what fans can buy in their dealerships. The new Tundra is really aggressive looking, and it’s great to see that reflected in our NASCAR Tundras with the TRD Pro badging for the 2022 season.”