They may know how to sell cars in the world market, but when are they going to figure out how to succeed in the higher levels of motor sport? Once again in Richmond they fail to put several cars in the show as notables such as Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip and Brian Vickers cannot make the show. At least Dave Blaney seems to run somewhat consistently from week to week. This is probably so because they were an established team (Bill Davis Racing) that had a strong working knowledge of how things work.
In my opinion Toyota should have gone after other established teams such as Robert Yates Racing, who would have been a better fit since Ford has basically abandoned him. It would have made more sense to partner with a past wining team to help bring Toyota into the sport. At this point in the season they have to be very embarrassed at the the number of times they have failed to even qualify for a race.
I also believe that owning and running your own team and being the full time driver has proven to be a losing proposition. Just ask Ricky Rudd, Darrell Waltrip and Robby Gordon. Although Gordon has had some decent results there is no way you can be competitive as an owner driver. So why Toyota chose to go with Michael Waltrip is a real mystery to me. I guess the name goes a long way in the sport, but Michael Waltrip? That makes sense, go with a mediocre driver who has never owned a team. I know the top teams have strong ties to Chevy and Ford and maybe this is the way they have to proceed, but Toyota should insist that Michael Waltrip find younger drivers other that himself and DJ and concentrate on running the teams. Sponsorship probably has a lot to do with it but he sponsors can't be happy when the cars never even make it into the race. What's the answer?
In my opinion Toyota should have gone after other established teams such as Robert Yates Racing, who would have been a better fit since Ford has basically abandoned him. It would have made more sense to partner with a past wining team to help bring Toyota into the sport. At this point in the season they have to be very embarrassed at the the number of times they have failed to even qualify for a race.
I also believe that owning and running your own team and being the full time driver has proven to be a losing proposition. Just ask Ricky Rudd, Darrell Waltrip and Robby Gordon. Although Gordon has had some decent results there is no way you can be competitive as an owner driver. So why Toyota chose to go with Michael Waltrip is a real mystery to me. I guess the name goes a long way in the sport, but Michael Waltrip? That makes sense, go with a mediocre driver who has never owned a team. I know the top teams have strong ties to Chevy and Ford and maybe this is the way they have to proceed, but Toyota should insist that Michael Waltrip find younger drivers other that himself and DJ and concentrate on running the teams. Sponsorship probably has a lot to do with it but he sponsors can't be happy when the cars never even make it into the race. What's the answer?
1 comment:
Time will tell. Toyota will be in it for the long haul. Just look at the millions they put into their F1 program.
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