What factors are responsible for Toyota's success compared to last season?

Question

Are all of the manufacturers on an even playing field?

Answer 1

JGR, nothing else needs to be said.

Answer 2

Two words: Joe Gibbs

Answer 3

Trial and error, I believe.

Answer 4

I say its a combination of what JGR has brought to TRD as well as TRD's own learning of what is necessary to compete in NASCAR Stock Car racing. They are doing a helluva lot better this season than last with drivers locked into the field

#00, #11, #18, #20, #22, #44, #55, #83, etc.

As far as all the manufacturers being on a level playing field, while the COT has done that somewhat, NASCAR can do all that they can but there will never be a day in my estimation that all the manufacturers will be on a level field. They'll be pretty close, but not exactly level, but in any case as close as they are now, makes for parity, which is good, cause most wouldn't want to see 1 manufacturer win every weekend.

Answer 5

Checkbook.  Toyota's engineers in the engine department all stood together and threw Toyota's giant checkbooks at the new toyota engine.  Results: 60+ horsepower more that the competition.

Answer 6

It is called Joe Gibbs Racing!

Answer 7

The only factor that can account for Toyota winning is the fact that they added Joe Gibbs Racing to their stable of teams.  They would not be all that much improved this year if not for that.  Red Bull and MWR are slightly better but still not a serious threat to win races or make the chase.  There is a rumored horsepower advantage because Toyota has had that in the truck and Nationwide series in the past but I don't think it is a big one, if it's one at all.  No, the manufacturers are not on a level playing field.  Chevy had the early advantage with assistance in the development of the COT.  Toyota has a huge advantage in unlimited funding and support for R&D.  Both Ford and Dodge seem to be at a disadvantage because of the declining number of teams they have, it's just makes for less data on the cars.

3 STR8 N 08!!!

3 STR8 N 08!!!

Answer 8

Toyota is more sucessful this season because they infiltrated into one of the better teams. They bought into a team which had better drivers, and the drivers didn't have a choice in the matter because they are under contract. Gee, now all of a sudden I hope Tony Stewart goes back to driving a Chevy. Then all Toyota will have is a wild thing.

Answer 9

I'd say it has more to with the 30 odd extra horses their engines make right now than it does the teams/drivers.

The four wins Yota has this season have all come on horsepower dependent tracks...Darlington being the one almost exception.

Martinsville takes HP to get down the long straights, Talladega and Atlanta are obvious, and Darlington with the new surface and higher speeds plays right into the higher HP...but like we always see year after year...one team is hot this season, won't necessarily be hot the next.

Answer 10

Easy.... Gibbs Gibbs Gibbs

Look at Pontiac. No one else won in a pontiac except JGR.

Who is winning in Toyota? JGR

They have it together....

Answer 11

Easy, Joe Gibbs Racing. While everyone else was panicked when they announced the switch last year, I wasnt at all. You have got the best 3 drivers at JGR, I knew they wouldn't just be riding in the back the whole season. Gibbs has made Toyota better. If Gibbs was still with chevy, no way would toyota have won a race, all the toyota wins have come from JGR's drivers.

Go Smoke!

Answer 12

I think their success is easy to define: Joe Gibbs Racing. You put a manufacturer with a strong commitment to racing entering this new market and team it with a class organization with top notch drivers like the Gibbs group and you've got a good recipe for success.

Now, are all manufacturers on an even playing field? Harder for me to answer. It seems as though Toyota may have more horses than Chevrolet and Chevrolet seems to have more horses than Dodge. Toyota seems to not only be able to sprint but to have good long runs too. Chevy seems to not sprint as well but can hold on during the long runs. Dodge, I don't know, they seem to be in a fog. They seem to be lacking most in long runs. Some seem to be able to sprint quickly but fall back on the long runs. And Dodge lacks as many top tier teams as Chevy has.

So I guess my answer to the manufacturers is that there is such a vast difference in the performance of the teams they are aligned with that it makes it difficult to assess whether or not they are on a level playing field.

Answer 13

Toyota is not on a level playing field. They have advantages over the rest of the competition. JGR has helped their success but even Waltrip has been in the mix sometimes this year. They need to level the playing field for everyone then it will be a real test to see who the best driver is.

Answer 14

There is not a level playing field.

The bodies and chassis on all of the makes is about the same on all of the makes.

Toyota was allowed engine changes in the off season, mostly in the valve train.  They now make more power than the other makes.

Chevrolet is also using a new motor.  But it is not quite as powerful as Toyota.

Ford and Dodge had their new engine designs disapproved by NA$CAR.  They are using engine designs that are much older and make less power.

Roush figured out some way to offset the body on the new car design without breaking the rules.  This is the only way they have been able to run up front.

If I were Dodge, I would be upset.

Toyota threw a lot of money into NA$CAR.  I guess they expected and got something in return.

Answer 15

3 words Hamlin,Stewart and Busch. They drove Chevy's last year