Tag Archives: NASCAR

Cars

Here’s What Made The Oldsmobile Ram Rod 350 Engine So Special

In the late Nineteen Sixties, auto racing sanctioning our bodies like NASCAR and NHRA required automakers to promote street-legal variations of their meant racecar entrants underneath a process known as homologation. While the particular guidelines range amongst organizations and 12 months to 12 months, there’s little doubt that the Oldsmobile Ram Rod 350 W-31 F-85 was produced and offered to most of the people to permit its inclusion at NHRA occasions.

According to Britannica, organized vehicle racing started as early as 1894 in France and 1895 within the United States. Newspapers initially used the occasions to promote extra papers, however automakers quickly noticed the promotional worth of successful races. The New York Times says the racecars utilized in early Nascar occasions “were practically driven straight from dealer’s lots to the track.”

Automakers quickly started producing purpose-built vehicles for racing, however racing organizers set homologation guidelines to maintain the “Stock Car” in inventory automobile racing. Luckily for muscle automobile lovers, that meant virtually anybody may purchase what was primarily a manufacturing unit racecar proper off the showroom flooring.

Motorsport

NASCAR Is Getting Its Own ‘Drive to Survive’ Style Netflix Show

Netflix’s Drive to Survive put Formula 1 on the map for tens of millions of Americans, and now a really comparable collection about NASCAR will probably be launched on the favored streaming platform. Called NASCAR: Full Speed, A Netflix Sports Series, the brand new present follows 16 drivers as they battle for the Cup Series championship. Like its F1 counterpart, the digital camera crews had “exclusive access” to drivers each on and off the observe. The 5 episodes will probably be 45 minutes every.

The trailer is extra of a teaser and does not say a ton in regards to the construction of the present, nevertheless the discharge date is developing quick. The collection is ready to drop on January thirtieth, rather less than three weeks from now.

The program seems to have been filmed in the course of the 2023 season, which featured many large crashes together with Ryan Preece’s wild airborne wreck which he fortunately escaped with solely minor accidents. It’s featured prominently within the trailer.

Another comparable collection overlaying IndyCar was introduced in late 2022, however there was little information about it since. That collection was additionally not going to be hosted by any common streaming platform. This NASCAR present is clearly totally different.

The quick run of solely 5 episodes makes the collection dissimilar to Drive to Survive, which is often nearer to 10. Whether or not the NASCAR motion will probably be as closely dramatized as what goes on in F1 is but to be seen. It can solely be factor to develop NASCAR’s viewers, although, which has fluctuated closely for the reason that mid-aughts.

News

The greatest pictures from Autocar in 2023

A second entry right here for the Nascar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, this time at Le Mans. Max says: “There was so much hype around this entry, it would have been mad not to have taken the opportunity to get a big image of the standout team, car and garage.” 

Kia Picanto driving through Irish countryside – front

Jack was notably proud of the Kia Picanto snaps, having not shot many street journeys earlier than: “The tiny Picanto was dwarfed by Ireland’s incredible landscape. Shame the car wasn’t a brighter colour…”

Jeep Avenger driving through tunnel in Austria – rear quarter

There’s at all times a narrative behind every shot, as Max explains: “The stress of getting the Jeep Avenger up a mountain to an electric charger with 0% range left was an interesting experience. Once we were sorted and onto the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the fog had set in, and driving through the mountain tunnel in dead silence was a moment to savour.”

ToyotaUk

Toyota Unveils Camry XSE Race Car For 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Season

PLANO, Texas (Nov. 27, 2023) – Toyota has revealed a newly-designed NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Toyota Camry XSE race car that will make its debut in the 2024 NCS season. The Camry XSE Next Gen follows the Toyota Camry TRD Next Gen, which achieved 18 victories and 25 poles during the last two seasons of competition.

Toyota, TRD (Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A.) and Calty Design collaborated to ensure the body styling characteristics closely resemble the recently unveiled 2025 Toyota Camry XSE. New features of the Toyota Camry race car include a distinctive hammerhead styling on the front fascia with an upper grille slot that is tied into the updated slim and wide headlights.

The exterior of the larger lower grille area also features C-shaped corner vents, while the hood includes new character lines and new hood duct exits. The back fascia of the car includes revised quarter panel styling and chamfered bumper corners on the back of the corner panels that blend into the rear bumper. These features, along with updated thinner taillights, give the new Camry race car a more sculpted appearance.

“The 2024 Camry XSE race car will showcase Toyota’s attention to detail as has been demonstrated in the new street version Toyota Camry. We are excited to bring this car to the race track and continue to achieve success with it for years to come,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager of motorsports, TMNA (Toyota Motor North America). “The effort put into this car’s production cannot be overstated, and we thank everyone at TRD and Calty Design for their efforts in creating a premier vehicle for our team partners to compete for wins and championships.”

Toyota continues to be the only manufacturer in NASCAR to showcase three nameplates across the three national series – the Camry in the NCS, the GR Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and the Tundra TRD Pro in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS). Since joining the NCS and NXS in 2007, Toyota has earned 180 NCS wins and three NCS championships along with 201 NXS victories and four NXS titles. And since its entry into the NCTS in 2004, Toyota has claimed 228 wins and nine Truck Series championships.

“The foundation of Toyota’s presence in NASCAR is our commitment to continuous improvement on and off the race track. Our Camry XSE race car reinforces that mantra and accurately reflects the key design attributes of the all-new production Toyota Camry,” said David Wilson, president of TRD. “As we prepare for the 2024 season, we look forward to working closely with our race team partners to optimize the performance of the newly-designed Camry race car so we can continue our legacy of leading laps, winning races and competing for championships with the Camry nameplate.”

With the addition of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, eight Toyota Camry XSE’s will compete on track every weekend, starting with the Clash at the Coliseum exhibition race in Los Angeles, California, in February.

About Toyota 

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options. 

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed $110 million to create innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s 14 U.S. operating sites.

Motorsport

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse Looks Great As A Next Gen NASCAR

The new, seventh-generation Ford Mustang will compete in next year’s NASCAR Cup Series. The automaker revealed the latest Dark Horse motorsport variant today, which will make its racing debut at the series’ Clash at the Coliseum early next year. 

The Mustang has been racing full-time in NASCAR since 2011, competing in the Xfinitiy Cup. It began competing in the Cup Series in 2019, winning 18 races the following year. Joey Logano won the driver’s championship in 2022, piloting a Mustang to victory, and Ford hopes to build on those successes with the new race car. 


Motorsport

Rare 1970 Plymouth Superbird Hemi Barn Find Won’t Be Driving Out On Its Own

The Plymouth Superbird and its sibling, the Dodge Charger Daytona, were special NASCAR models designed with advanced aerodynamics for their time. These cars are now considered collectible due to their rarity. One particular Superbird is currently being stored in a heavy-machine repair shop and is awaiting restoration.

The owner purchased this 1970 Plymouth Superbird in the 1980s from a used car dealer in Findlay, Ohio. However, he eventually stopped driving the car due to other priorities in life. As a result, the car was placed high up in the shop’s rafters using a forklift.

The owner usually keeps the car covered, but for the purpose of a video, the cover and hood were removed to reveal the engine bay. This Superbird is equipped with a 426-cubic-inch (6.98-liter) Hemi V8 engine, but it was also available with a 440-cubic-inch (7.21-liter) V8.

The car features a vibrant green body color with a black vinyl roof. There are some surface rust, dents, and dings on the exterior, but the damage appears repairable.

According to Auto Archaeology, the operator of the Auto Archaeology YouTube channel, the car was placed in the rafters for safekeeping and to keep it out of the way. However, there are other factors influencing its current state that were not shown in the video.

The owner is currently working on restoring another Superbird with the 440-cubic-inch V8 and six-barrel carburetor. Once that project is completed, he may start restoration work on this Superbird.

In addition to the Superbird, the owner has some other interesting cars in his garage. This includes a Hemi-powered Dodge Dart, which used to be a drag racer. The body is in good condition, and all the necessary parts are present, but it requires someone to put them together.

Outside, in the woods, there is a Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda, but it is mostly consumed by nature and would require extensive restoration work.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Makes History with Landmark NASCAR Victory

POCONO, Penn. (July 25, 2023) – Toyota achieved a significant milestone in NASCAR with Denny Hamlin’s triumph in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, July 23rd at Pocono. This victory marked Toyota’s 600th win in the NASCAR national series. Toyota’s wins are divided as follows: 177 in the NASCAR Cup Series, 196 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and 227 in the NASCAR Truck Series.

David Wilson, president of TRD, expressed his gratitude, stating, “To think we have celebrated 600 Toyota wins in NASCAR is incredibly rewarding to me and the entire Toyota family. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the individuals who have contributed countless hours, days, and years. We owe our success to our amazing team partners and talented drivers, who have piloted our Camrys, Supras, and Tundras. As we set our sights on our short-term and long-term goals in NASCAR, we eagerly anticipate celebrating 600 more wins.”

Toyota’s most successful organization in NASCAR is Joe Gibbs Racing, which joined forces with Toyota in 2008. Together, they have notched up a total of 338 race victories in the NASCAR Cup Series (148) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (190).

A total of 80 different drivers have clinched wins in a Toyota. The all-time leader is Kyle Busch, a multiple-time Toyota champion, with an impressive 203 victories. Other notable Toyota drivers include Denny Hamlin (61 wins), Martin Truex Jr. (33 wins), Christopher Bell (29 wins), Todd Bodine (22 wins), Joey Logano (20 wins), Erik Jones (18 wins), Matt Kenseth (18 wins), Johnny Benson (14 wins), Mike Skinner (12 wins), Matt Crafton (12 wins), John Hunter Nemechek (12 wins), Ty Gibbs (11 wins), and Timothy Peters (10 wins), all of whom have amassed 10 or more national-series wins behind the wheel of a Toyota.

Motorsport

Plymouth Superbird and Ford Torino Talladega Barn Finds: Classic Race Cars Discovered

During the late 1960s, NASCAR was a hotbed of fierce competition among automakers. These were the days of the aero wars, with manufacturers pushing the limits of vehicle design to gain an edge on the racetrack. It was during this time that road cars closely resembled their race car counterparts. Recently, an exciting barn find uncovered a collection of high-performance race cars from this era.

This impressive collection includes several American-made models from the late 1960s. One standout is a 1969 Charger Daytona, painted in the iconic B5 Blue with a white stripe and blue interior. This vehicle is already undergoing restoration, along with several others in the collection. However, the barn also houses some rarer gems for enthusiasts to discover. Among them are several Plymouth Superbirds, known for their distinct big wings and aerodynamic noses. Some of these Superbirds are already being worked on, with one having its vinyl roof and nose removed. Additionally, one of the Superbirds featured a four-speed gearbox, while the rest were equipped with a 440-cubic-inch V8 engine and automatic gearboxes.

Also present in the collection are several 1969 Ford Torino Talladegas, which were a more aerodynamic version of the car. The Mercury variant, known as the Cyclone Spoiler, is also part of this barn find. These Torino Talladegas were produced in limited numbers, with rumors suggesting that less than 800 were made in the first few months of 1969. As a result, these cars are quite rare and highly sought after. They came in three different colors and featured power steering, power brakes, and an AM radio.

While not every car in the collection is destined for restoration, many of them are in decent enough condition to be revitalized. Unfortunately, there is a burnt-out Superbird that is beyond repair. Nevertheless, it’s exciting to think that there could be more NASCAR-related treasures hiding in barns across the country. It’s incredible how many forgotten or abandoned vehicles are out there, waiting to be appreciated by new owners. Though they may require some work, few of these cars are beyond salvage.