Smack: Could a Toyota find Daytona's Victory Lane?

1. Michael Waltrip is on the front row. Toyotas were fast throughout testing. What's the reaction if a Camry wins the Great American Race?

Joe Menzer: Well, the reaction from Jim Aust and Lee White and those guys will be, um, pretty wild. They might not go to bed for a week!

Dave Rodman: I could say Japanese manufacturers have already won at the Brickyard, and Toyota has done well in virtually every series it's attempted in this country. But this is Cup racing -- a whole different ballgame. To be kind, let's say reaction would be "mixed."

David Caraviello: People had better get used to seeing a Toyota in Victory Lane. It's going to happen several times this year, and maybe this week. Seeing a Camry win Daytona would be hard for some folks to swallow, but there are also a lot of people out there who drive Toyota passenger cars.

Joe Menzer: In fact, I believe there may end up being more Toyota drivers in this Great American Race than Ford drivers. Isn't that possibly going to be the case?

Dave Rodman: It will depend how the Duels shake out -- but since there were more Toyota drivers going in than Ford drivers -- that may happen.

David Caraviello: Could be, Joe. Got to wonder what's going on up in Dearborn these days. Their hands seem tied when it comes to their racing program.

Dave Rodman: Sorry gang, we don't live in our provincial little backyard anymore. It's a new world, there's no turning back and I'd like to think people would tune in as much to see them get stomped as they would to see if they can win. That's sports.

Joe Menzer: Here is something else to consider, something that Mark Cronquist, chief engine builder at Gibbs brought up recently: The TRD people (that's Toyota Racing Development, you guys) have been working on their Daytona engine since like June of last year, ever since they knew they didn't have to worry about any Toyota drivers in last year's Chase. In other words, the Toyota folks have put probably more time and money and manpower into this engine for this one race than everyone else -- by a long shot.

David Caraviello: You hear so many people complain about wanting to keep NASCAR "All-American." But there were international drivers in the first Daytona 500. And didn't someone once compete in a Jaguar?

Dave Rodman: Someone once WON a race in a Jaguar -- Al Keller, Linden (N.J.) Airport.

David Caraviello: Thanks, Dave. Big Bill France saw this day coming. After all, he was smart enough to procure FIA sanctioning for the Daytona 500 to smooth the entry of international drivers into his sport's biggest event.

Joe Menzer: Al Keller? Linden (N.J.) Airport? What year was that?

David Caraviello: The thing is, when competitors get beat, by anybody, it only drives them to go back and work harder. The anti-Toyota brigade in the grandstand could take a lesson from that.

Dave Rodman: Absolutely. It would create controversy, and that's what all these fans are saying they want -- so they should revel in it. If it happens they can go put a burning bag of dung on their Japanese neighbor's doorstep.

Joe Menzer: Let's not endorse putting any burning bags of dung anywhere, OK?

Dave Rodman: I'm just trying to read this gang. Sorry. I don't think I could give them any ideas -- I was just trying to be a little more genteel. (Continued)