XENOPHOBIA IS NOT A FLATTERING TRAIT!
Well, it’s official!
Joe Gibbs Racing will take to the race track in 2008 in a Toyota Camry — who woulda thought it? This is clearly seen by JGR and Toyota as a “win-win” partnership. JGR gets tons of support — financially and technically — from Toyota and Toyota gets to showcase its cars with a proven winner (make that winners as Tony, Denny and Kyle have been in the winner’s circle many times).
Thinking back, however, maybe Roush and Evernham were correct when they said that Toyota would have bottomless pockets and that other teams would need to start looking for creative financing to keep pace. We’ll have to keep watching the fallout from this change in manufacturers.
But the major problem seems to be a xenophobic attitude on the part of some NASCAR fans. They seem to forget that Toyota is the only car manufactured in the U.S. with the Ford Fusion being built in Mexico and the Monte Carlo and Charger being assembled in Canada. And don’t even begin to talk about where helmets, fire suits, gloves, and shoes are made!
It’s hard to believe that fans of Tony will stop shopping at The Home Depot simply because he’s racing a Camry. Draw the parallel with DE Jr. Will fans stop drinking Budweiser because it’s no longer on his car? Hardly. What NASCAR fans who are experiencing xenophobia should remember is that, while NASCAR is a sport, it’s also a business—BIG BUSINESS. Team owners must do what they must do, even with the chance of losing fans.
Frankly, I don’t care what they drive as long as it’s great racing!
Hope you feel that way too.
Jon
Comments
The Toyota Camry is not built in USA, but it is assembled in the USA. It is my understanding the parts are shipped in. The main problem is where do the profits go? Right back to the land of the rising sun, that's the problem. My dad fought in WWII and their car companies have ruined this country. This will alwayays be remembered as the day that Nas$car died.
Posted by: Pbred8 | September 5, 2007 4:57 PM
Jon - didn't take long for a xenophobe to show his face did it?
Pbred8 a few questions if I may. I assume your a Dale Jr. fan based on your moniker, if that is correct why? The Chevy he drives now and next year isn't made in the USA it's constructed in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
Secondly, what about the thousands of Toyota employees who "profit" by earning money building Toyotas in the US. Are you willing to kick them out of their jobs?
OR, deprive the thousands that work in the dealer network.
And this comment, "My dad fought in WWII and their car companies have ruined this country," is straight out of moonbats-ville.
4.5% unemployment, home ownership at an all-time high, Fed deficit lowers each quarter via lower taxes.
Yeap, life is truly hell - if your a dedicated xenophobe.
Posted by: marc | September 7, 2007 2:09 AM