Don't expect Toyota's recently-announced withdrawal from
Formula One racing to signal a pullback from
NASCAR racing.
But don't expect it to be a windfall for Toyota's stock-car effort, either.
Toyota Racing Development president Lee White said Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway that the
Formula One pullout "should have no effect whatsoever on our
NASCAR program, our
NASCAR plans and our
NASCAR future. We remain completely committed to
NASCAR - and
NASCAR is completely committed to us."
Asked whether any of the estimated $300-$500 million saved from the F1 budget would accrue to the
NASCAR program, White demurred.
"The economy remains very challenging for the automotive industry," he said. "So we don't expect one penny of that reduction in cost would come here to benefit our
NASCAR program."
Toyota currently supports eight teams in
NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.
by Reid Spencer/Sporting News
