Ford wins Daytona, but does Toyota own NASCAR?

[Joe771476]

I watched the race for the first time in maybe 15 years or maybe longer. . I became disenchanted when they made all the cars the same like cookie cutter cars. The mfrs. really don't have any input anymore. It's all driver/celebrity oriented. The Fords excelled at Daytona, but it seemed like a Toyota commercial to me.  At one point there was a three minute ad about Toyota.  Every time the Toyota Camry pace car led the field, the sportscasters mentioned the brand, model etc.  Sometimes there was a Toyota pickup as pace vehicle.  The sportscasters never used to go into detail when a Ford or Chevy pace car was leading the field in the old days, did they?  I don't remember them doing so.  if this is the future of NASCAR, count me out! 

[akirby]

50 minutes ago, Joe771476 said:

I watched the race for the first time in maybe 15 years or maybe longer. . I became disenchanted when they made all the cars the same like cookie cutter cars. The mfrs. really don't have any input anymore. It's all driver/celebrity oriented. The Fords excelled at Daytona, but it seemed like a Toyota commercial to me.  At one point there was a three minute ad about Toyota.  Every time the Toyota Camry pace car led the field, the sportscasters mentioned the brand, model etc.  Sometimes there was a Toyota pickup as pace vehicle.  The sportscasters never used to go into detail when a Ford or Chevy pace car was leading the field in the old days, did they?  I don't remember them doing so.  if this is the future of NASCAR, count me out! 

Toyota paid for sponsorship just like other companies have done.  You think NASCAR should discriminate against Japanese companies?

[rperez817]

1 hour ago, Joe771476 said:

I watched the race for the first time in maybe 15 years or maybe longer. . I became disenchanted when they made all the cars the same like cookie cutter cars. The mfrs. really don't have any input anymore. It's all driver/celebrity oriented. The Fords excelled at Daytona, but it seemed like a Toyota commercial to me.  At one point there was a three minute ad about Toyota.  Every time the Toyota Camry pace car led the field, the sportscasters mentioned the brand, model etc.  Sometimes there was a Toyota pickup as pace vehicle.  The sportscasters never used to go into detail when a Ford or Chevy pace car was leading the field in the old days, did they?  I don't remember them doing so.  if this is the future of NASCAR, count me out! 

 

What you noticed about Toyota's marketing presence at Daytona has been in place ever since Toyota fielded entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series.

 

Also, in the Southern U.S. where NASCAR has its origins, Toyota is #1 among automotive brands that prospective car buyers would consider. In every southern state, Toyota is either the leader by itself, or tied for #1 with another brand or 2 in terms of consideration by potential customers. Toyota is simply catering to its target audience through its NASCAR sponsorships. Smart move on Toyota's part.

 

 

[Bob Rosadini]

21 hours ago, akirby said:

Toyota paid for sponsorship just like other companies have done.  You think NASCAR should discriminate against Japanese companies?

I'm not sure that is Joe's point but he can speak to that.  I will say that they always DO go to great lengths it appears to  me, to reference the pace car as a Toyota? I guess you are saying that is part of the 'yota ad package?  Maybe Ford should pay a little more and then they could announce that the "FORD safety trucks are quickly on scene whenever  there is a wreck??.  I do  believe they reference the "Toyota" trucks when the jet dryers are deployed.

 

R'817..where did  you find  that graphic...it signifies market share?  No Chebbies??? cool in any case..assuming some degree  of accuracy?

[rperez817]

59 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said:

R'817..where did  you find  that graphic...it signifies market share?  No Chebbies??? cool in any case..assuming some degree  of accuracy?

 

Hi Bob Rosadini! The graphic is something I found via Bing search a few years ago on the topic of "what brands do car buyers consider most often when searching for information about cars?" As such, it's not market share of actual new vehicle purchases, but the top brand or brands that people in each U.S. state search for based on data aggregated from search engines like Google and Bing.

 

So the graphic shows "mind share" rather than "market share". ?

 

As we all know NASCAR is as much a business as it is a sanctioning body for athletic events (automobile racing). I think Toyota wants to maintain its high "mind share" among fans, especially in the U.S. South. Hence the kind of marketing that Joe771476 described.

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Bob Rosadini said:

I'm not sure that is Joe's point but he can speak to that.  I will say that they always DO go to great lengths it appears to  me, to reference the pace car as a Toyota? I guess you are saying that is part of the 'yota ad package?  Maybe Ford should pay a little more and then they could announce that the "FORD safety trucks are quickly on scene whenever  there is a wreck??.  I do  believe they reference the "Toyota" trucks when the jet dryers are deployed.

 

R'817..where did  you find  that graphic...it signifies market share?  No Chebbies??? cool in any case..assuming some degree  of accuracy?

That is absolutely part of the paid sponsorship deal whether it’s for that specific race or with television or NASCAR itself.  I’ve seen them do the same with Mustang pace cars.  Point is it’s just sponsorship not favoritism and Ford could get the same deal.

[Bob Rosadini]

3 hours ago, akirby said:

That is absolutely part of the paid sponsorship deal whether it’s for that specific race or with television or NASCAR itself.  I’ve seen them do the same with Mustang pace cars.  Point is it’s just sponsorship not favoritism and Ford could get the same deal.

AK got it.  I'll pay attention next time a Mustang-or  150 is used  as the pace vehicle.

[FordBuyer]

19 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said:

AK got it.  I'll pay attention next time a Mustang-or  150 is used  as the pace vehicle.

 

I could be wrong, but I believe the Homestead Race is sponsored by Ford and uses Ford pace car and safety vehicles. I would imagine MIS is another in Irish Hills. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Bob Rosadini said:

AK got it.  I'll pay attention next time a Mustang-or  150 is used  as the pace vehicle.

I believe the Michigan race is usually Ford sponsored.

[fuzzymoomoo]

3 hours ago, akirby said:

I believe the Michigan race is usually Ford sponsored.

When there was 2 the June race was usually Pure Michigan and the August race was Firekeepers Casino. Now that there's only one race there (thank god) I think Pure Michigan is no longer the marquee sponsor but I think they still had some branding at the track last year so they’re still involved in some capacity. 

[Taurus SHO]

On 3/3/2022 at 1:43 PM, FordBuyer said:

 

I could be wrong, but I believe the Homestead Race is sponsored by Ford and uses Ford pace car and safety vehicles. I would imagine MIS is another in Irish Hills. 

 

Ford dropped its sponsorship of the race after the finale was moved from there to Phoenix.  Not sure if the on track vehicles are still Fords. 

[K270]

On 3/2/2022 at 8:41 AM, rperez817 said:

 

What you noticed about Toyota's marketing presence at Daytona has been in place ever since Toyota fielded entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series.

 

Also, in the Southern U.S. where NASCAR has its origins, Toyota is #1 among automotive brands that prospective car buyers would consider. In every southern state, Toyota is either the leader by itself, or tied for #1 with another brand or 2 in terms of consideration by potential customers. Toyota is simply catering to its target audience through its NASCAR sponsorships. Smart move on Toyota's part.

 

 

 

 

Interesting thats theres no Chevy on that map. 

[FordBuyer]

54 minutes ago, Taurus SHO said:

 

Ford dropped its sponsorship of the race after the finale was moved from there to Phoenix.  Not sure if the on track vehicles are still Fords. 

 

I would surmise that NASCAR sponsorship is just not important to most auto companies. For example, Dodge is seen as the American performance brand and ignores NASCAR. Tesla Plaid is dominant in acceleration. Not many auto companies are interested in NASCAR anymore. 

[rperez817]

1 hour ago, FordBuyer said:

Not many auto companies are interested in NASCAR anymore. 

 

That's true FordBuyer, as of the current NASCAR Cup Series season, only three automakers/brands still have representation. Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet.

[Joe771476]

I found a list of rules if you will that NASCAR put out 60 or 70 years ago. Damn if I can find it now. Two of the rules were: A) This is a correction. All truck blocks in any car will be a Ford only. The 9-1/2 inch rear end was not in the rules. B)There will never be a foreign brand allowed on the race tracks!  Bet you didn't know that, huh.

Edited March 8, 2022 by Joe771476

[rperez817]

1 hour ago, Joe771476 said:

I found a list of rules if you will that NASCAR put out 60 or 70 years ago. Damn if I can find it now. Two of the rules were:  A) All rear ends will be Ford 9-1/2 rear ends. B)There will never be a foreign brand allowed on the race tracks!  Bet you didn't know that, huh.

 

That's a good joke Joe771476. ?

 

Regarding rule (B). 70 years ago during the early part of NASCAR's history, foreign brands were not only allowed on the race tracks, but encouraged. In that era, Aston Martin, Austin-Healey, Citroën, Jaguar, MG, Morgan, Porsche, Renault, and Volkswagen all fielded entries at NASCAR sanctioned events.

 

[FordBuyer]

On 3/4/2022 at 3:34 PM, rperez817 said:

 

That's true FordBuyer, as of the current NASCAR Cup Series season, only three automakers/brands still have representation. Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet.

 

What will Chevy use once the Camaro is gone along with the Malibu? Ford is down to the Mustang and Toyota to Camry. Not much left to choose from. 

[ESP08]

On 3/4/2022 at 1:34 PM, rperez817 said:

 

That's true FordBuyer, as of the current NASCAR Cup Series season, only three automakers/brands still have representation. Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet.

 

Does anyone watch NASCAR with their standardized chassis and engines and really feel inspired to purchase whichever brand just won?  

 

I don't know why any domestic OEM spends money on NASCAR at this point.  

[FordBuyer]

23 minutes ago, ESP08 said:

 

Does anyone watch NASCAR with their standardized chassis and engines and really feel inspired to purchase whichever brand just won?  

 

I don't know why any domestic OEM spends money on NASCAR at this point.  

 

"Race on Sunday and Buy on Monday" is long gone. I guess Ford Performance needs something to do is all. Lots of smaller, regional tracks do have fans though. And Vintage racing which attracts my attention and many others. 

[akirby]

4 hours ago, ESP08 said:

 

Does anyone watch NASCAR with their standardized chassis and engines and really feel inspired to purchase whichever brand just won?  

 

I don't know why any domestic OEM spends money on NASCAR at this point.  

The only reason Ford stayed in as long as they did was out of loyalty to folks like Roush and the Wood brothers.

[Taurus SHO]

On 3/4/2022 at 2:39 PM, FordBuyer said:

 

I would surmise that NASCAR sponsorship is just not important to most auto companies. For example, Dodge is seen as the American performance brand and ignores NASCAR. Tesla Plaid is dominant in acceleration. Not many auto companies are interested in NASCAR anymore. 

 

That's not really true.  Dodge and Ram both advertise in NASCAR and Toyota has been a heavy spender.   Last year Toyota spent $4.4 million and Ram $4.2 million on TV ads.  Dodge would still be in NASCAR if not for Penske switching to Ford.   

[Taurus SHO]

13 hours ago, akirby said:

The only reason Ford stayed in as long as they did was out of loyalty to folks like Roush and the Wood brothers.

 

What is your source for that?  There were some light rumors around the great recession that they were going to seriously cut back, but that obviously didn't come to fruition.  Today there are five factory Ford Cup teams.   

[akirby]

38 minutes ago, Taurus SHO said:

 

That's not really true.  Dodge and Ram both advertise in NASCAR and Toyota has been a heavy spender.   Last year Toyota spent $4.4 million and Ram $4.2 million on TV ads.  Dodge would still be in NASCAR if not for Penske switching to Ford.   

Not talking about TV ads or race sponsorship but providing financial and engineering support directly to the individual teams.  It used to be huge but not any more.  Toyota might be doing more now than Ford or Chevy.  It’s just not worth the investment.

[akirby]

35 minutes ago, Taurus SHO said:

 

What is your source for that?  There were some light rumors around the great recession that they were going to seriously cut back, but that obviously didn't come to fruition.  Today there are five factory Ford Cup teams.   

There are no factory Ford teams.  There are independent teams that run Ford cars and while they surely get some help from Ford it’s nothing like the financial and engineering support that Ford used to provide.

[Taurus SHO]

Sorry, none of that is true.