Skinner sees great things for Toyota
HURRICANE -- It took Toyota a while to make its mark in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing. Toyota made its debut in 2004 and with eight races left in the 2007 season, the manufacturer has four of the top 10 drivers in the point standings.
Toyota moved up to the NASCAR Nextel Cup series this season, but has had limited success. Look for that to change said Mike Skinner, who drives the No. 5 Toyota Tundra for Bill Davis Racing and is No. 2 in the Truck Series points with eight races to go.
"I'm not saying you'll see instant success. They've shown promise," said Skinner, the special guest at the 10th Toyota/Special Olympics West Virginia Golf Classic on Monday at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club.
"It's the first year. What do you expect?"
Dave Blaney, in the No. 22 Caterpillar for Bill Davis Racing, is the highest-rated Toyota driver in the Nextel Cup standings at No. 33. He's won one pole.
The cause for Skinner's optimism happened two weeks ago when Joe Gibbs Racing said it's shifting from Chevrolet to Toyota for 2008. Big-name drivers Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch are under long-term contracts with Gibbs. Tony Stewart is a two-time NASCAR points champion. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have been rookie of the year the past two years. On the developmental side, watch up for Joey Logano, who is 17 and runs on the Kyle Busch East Series.
Toyota has facilities in North Carolina and California. In the past, Gibbs shared resources with three primary competitors, Richard Childress Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI). The decision to switch enhances Toyota's long-term strength. Gibbs has the top team for a manufacturer looking to make its mark in a foreign market, flush with cash and willing to do whatever it takes to be a winner.
"They can be competitive," Skinner said. "They started with a clean sheet. One thing about the Gibbs team is they've built depth. Don't be surprised if they win a race, or two or three. It's not out of the realm of possibility. You'll see more success pop up as long as they keep up on the engineering side."
Skinner knows teams for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler aren't dismissing Toyota's presence. Skinner once drove for GM.
"They're not afraid of us now," he said. "They've got us where they want now. If we'd come in and dominated, it would've created a bigger buzz. It would upset NASCAR."
Skinner, who's also driven on the Nextel Cup and Kyle Busch circuits, remembers the early days with Toyota and the heat the Japanese automaker took for getting into racing.
"Initially it was a little bit of a shock to the public," Skinner said. "They were uneducated about how the cars were made, how many people Toyota employed in the U.S. and the impact they have on the economy. The shock is gone. The bad calls you don't hear. They're well accepted. They're a great company. They've treated me well. It's makes me feel good about the decision I made.
"They struggled in trucks. Once there was about 30 horsepower difference. Now we're equal."
When it comes to track success, it takes more than a big-name driver.
"We have good vehichles and pretty good teams," Skinner said, talking about Ford, GM and Chrysler along with Toyota. "It's about people and drivers. Look at the lineups. Teams have experienced drivers."
Toyota's drivers in the top 10 in points are Skinner at No. 2, Todd Bodine is fourth, Ted Musgrave seventh and David Green is 10th. The trucks resume racing Saturday night in Las Vegas.
"Development is the key," Skinner said. "When Toyota gets ready to do something, they do it right."
Gregg Twiggs, who has competed on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour, was the other guest Monday. He conducted a clinic for players before the noon start. Both went on the course during play for pictures and to sign autographs.
Since this tournament began, more than $500,000 has been raised to benefit Special Olympics West Virginia.
