From Autoweek · Deb Williams · · 50s
Toyota NASCAR Championship Problem
Toyota's NASCAR driver championship struggles prompt Denny Hamlin to demand internal fixes.
In brief
Toyota's NASCAR driver championship struggles prompt Denny Hamlin to demand internal fixes. Toyota's NASCAR driver championships have been inconsistent despite winning manufacturer titles, with Denny Hamlin urging internal analysis to improve performance. Originally reported by Autoweek.
Toyota's Championship Struggle
Toyota has won only three driver championships in 20 years despite claiming manufacturer titles in NASCAR Cup Series.
“The win ratio to championship ratio has just not been as good as it needs to be”
Denny Hamlin's Concern
Denny Hamlin says Toyota needs internal analysis to fix driver championship performance after winning 18 races this season.
“I think there needs to be a deep dive and honestly, figure out what needs to be changed”
Toyota's Recent Performance
Toyota won 18 races this season but lost the driver title to Kyle Larson, a Chevrolet competitor.
“We’ve won 18 races, thrilled that we won the manufacturers championship”
Toyota Racing Development
Toyota Racing Development President Tyler Gibbs says data shows Toyota's performance is improving after the Next Gen car transition.
“Let’s take the last 10 years, so, ’17, ’18, ’19 very, very strong”
Competitor Strategy
Toyota's competitors will take advantage of every weakness in the new generation of cars.
“Gibbs notes that Toyota’s competitors will "take advantage of every single weakness"”
The bottom line
Toyota's NASCAR driver championships have been inconsistent despite winning manufacturer titles, with Denny Hamlin urging internal analysis to improve performance.
