Comments on: Foreign Makes In NASCAR? Why Not?

By: rob

rob — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:04:49 +0000

Now this is a conversation I can really sink my teeth into. Last month, I bought a new 2009 Chevy Impala, and I gotta tell ya it is one sweet ride. The smooth acceleration of that carbureted V8 is something to experience for yourself. Although I’m most impressed by the smoothness of the transmission as it delivers power to the rear wheels. I really got to hand it those Canadians, they did a fine job of assemblying the Mexican made Chevy parts in my Impala. I knew GM was on to something when they introduced planned obsolesence in the 60’s. Even though I don’t expect my Chevy to last more than a few years, it is my patriot duty as an American consumer to prop up the American auto industry by purchasing a new vehicle every 5 years. Since I’m supporting them, I’m so happy that the company decided to save all that money on salaries by outsourcing the jobs off to foreign countries, even though it costs them a fortune in shipping parts all over Nort America. I feel really good knowing that the profits they made went to an American company, even if that company avoided paying US income taxes on the revenue they made on those Canadian built Impalas. Ironically, my stupid brother just bought a new Toyota Camry with a wimpy little V6 powering the front wheels. The fool had the nerve to call me up to brag about how great his new car was. He boasted that his Camry was designed, engineered, and built in America by real American workers. He said that the 80% US part content contributed to making it one of the best cars on the road. He bragged of body panels and engine components made of the finest US made steel. He said that the American made plastics, glass, fabrics and leathers combined to make a vehicle that will just as good many years down the road as it was when new. My brother even photocopied portions of the owners manual that stated when the vehicle was 10 years old that the air bag sensors would need to be serviced, and again every ten years thereafter. I thought that was just a bit optimistic, everyone knows that cars only last about seven years, right? Speaking of that owners manual, it was pretty well written for Japs, they must have hired a few English teachers to write it. That was enough to upset me thoroughly, so I called into question my little brothers patriotism and thats when things turned ugly. Can you believe he had the nerve to tell me that he was a better patriot than me? he said that when he bought that Toyota, he helped to employ over 700,000 Americans, from parts suppliers to assembly workers to dealership mechanics. Then he told me that everytime Toyota sold a car in America. they paid taxes in America and that it was good for the economy. I told him he was crazy, spending billions in bailout money to save GM and Chrysler is what is good for the economy. And when it comes to NASCAR, I think we should go back to the good ole days like 1957 when American automakers like Jaguar were running NASCAR.

By: Russell

Russell — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:27:43 +0000

what ever happened to good old fashion racing where GM ,Ford & Mopars went at it lap after lap & we pulled for our favorite driver driving an American made & named car, like every thing else Jap cars do not belong in a uniquely American sport, I think the original rules said it is a competition between American made & badged cars , toyota is not one, when peoople look back & make the decision to buy American then the car makers will rebound ad when Nascar relizes fans do not want to see the junk they are giving them to watch maybe things wil change Nascar must go bck to their roots and reinvent itself or they will be the next ones looking for a bailout

By: Jim Davidson

Jim Davidson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:59:08 +0000

I don’t need the last word Jim and I meant no ill will toward anyone. Just stating my opinion (like Joe W’s) that NASCAR was purely an American sport (even though Jaguar and a couple of other foreign makes) appeared in some very early races. Moonshiners didn’t wheel any Toyotas through the southeastern woods and early on, racing in our country was about brand battles. We have the freedom of choice in this great nation and my choice is to stick with the companies that built this country’s strength, whenever I possibly can. I still love NASCAR, especially those few races when the bowties, blue ovals (and used-to-be Mopars) can beat Kyle Busch and Brian Vickers!

By: Joe W.

Joe W. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:57:09 +0000

Well said Jim. That is what I enjoy about this sight. We can have civil debate and not resort to the name calling and mean spirited sayings I see on other web sights. Great job by all. Keep up the good work.

By: jimmccoy22

jimmccoy22 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:29:58 +0000

@Joe W. Well if you’re an old fogey then I’m one too, because we are the same age, I was curious about the reasoning behind your point and appreciate your “weigh in” on it. We agree to disagree agreeably and that’s the kinjd of spirited, yet civil debate I don’t mind. I wouldn’t call what you said a rant, just calling it like you see it.
While I’m obivously in the minorty here, I wouldn’t for the record call anything I’ve read here UN-civil.
Thanks Joe. Thank you all for the discussion. Reminds me of the spirited debates between my dad and uncle on politics. They disagreed on many things, but at the end of the day the brothers-in-law would give their right arms for each other.

By: jimmccoy22

jimmccoy22 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:21:39 +0000

@Jim Davidson. All I was doing was answering your point. As I write this, I am as calm as a southern Oregon breeze. I actually believe we share common ground on your points concerning corporate greed.
You’re right. This was a post on Toyota’s involvement in NASCAR. So let me make sure I am unerstanding you then: your point would be a foreign auto maker has no place in NASCAR? If its because their presence will help sell product and take money out of an American’s pocket, I would tend to believe that may be overrating the influence of NASCAR over buying decisions on what is often the second most important purchase behind a home that a person will make.
I hope your recovery goes well. I can’t imagine shoulder surgery is any fun and hazarding (by way of your web address) a guess that your line of work involves physical activity, its even worse when it slows down your livelihood.
Thanks for answering. I’ll give you the last word if you so choose.

By: Joe W.

Joe W. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:20:34 +0000

Hi Jim. I bet you expected me to chime in on this one. The point about front wheel vs rear wheel drive is simple. The race cars are all rear drive. The point I made was that Toyota had never built a rear drive V8. I also made clear that I do not buy the thought that Toyota does build rear wheel drive V8s and calls them Lexis because we do not race Lexis any more than we race Lincolns or Cadillacs. I disagree with B Knotts though, because I am fine with the street versions being front wheel drives since Ford, Chevy and Dodge have built rear wheel drive V8s and still do. They just aren’t the Fusion or Impala. The Charger is a rear wheel drive V8 and is a super sweet ride. I have stated my argument for excluding Toyota from Nascar before and it is simple. They are just not part of the history of the sport. I guess I am just being an “old fogey” on this one but I like it the way it was in the late 70s through the 90s. I have no problem with all imports being sold in America, however I do think a level playing field on taxes and such would be nice. I am not an expert in this field and do not claim to be, so please no comments about my ignorance in that matter because I have already admitted it. As far as street cars go, my dad always had lot of cars around when I was growing up. I drove Fords, Chevys, Dodges, Toyotas and Datsuns. Yes Datsuns, I am 44 years old. He also had a few VWs. My favorites were always the Ford and Chevy V8s. I never understood why I could not be a Ford and Chevy guy. I am now. I have owned a few cars of my own, seven Chevys, six Fords, four Dodges and two Plymouths. I have NEVER had a lemmon in the bunch. I guess I have been very lucky but I have enjoyed them all. I have had a Mustang and a Camaro, Impalas and Tuaruses a Shadow and a Shelby Charger. I just like these cars and the recent developements have made me sad. I respect everyones right to drive what they want, but I want the same respect. I will never drive a Honda. It just isn’t me. Sorry for the long tirade here. This is just one of those “hot button issues” for me. Enjoyed the article as usual Jim. We will just have to agree to disagree on this one.

By: Jim Davidson

Jim Davidson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:42 +0000

You missed my point Jim. That point is the selling out of our own country by the American people! You can’t hardly find a piece of clothing made here. Steel-making is gone, the cattle raising industry and other foodstuffs are now from the “world market” and just try to buy an “American” electronic component! None of this happened by accident. We were the world leaders in the production of all commodities, until corporate greed took over. As the wealthy lined their pockets with the brow sweat of hard working citizens, they could only envision making more money by sending our jobs to foreign markets. This column is about NASCAR’s permitting of non-American automobile manufacturers to race in their premier series. People can expound all day long about how Toyota is an “American” company, but it simply is not! I drive a Chevrolet truck (wish I owned a Corvette or Cadillac) and simply prefer to watch something besides Toyota run in NASCAR…chill out Jim. By the way, I recently had shoulder surgery by a Korean surgeon, who happens to be the best in town…but that has absolutely nothing to do with Toyotas racing in NASCAR!

By: jimmccoy22

jimmccoy22 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:50:19 +0000

@Dawg. I cannot speak personall to the Chevy of today, but my experience with the GM products of the 80s were quite bad. You make an interesting point, and I add to that tif I you and I are competitors and you’re beating my butt because of quality, I can re-take the upper hand by making a better product. It might cost more to produce it, but if I do a good job and back it with quality ,I’ll bet I can recapture market share.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:45:06 +0000

@Jim Davidson. First- I appreciate your service to our country. Now let me address your assertions. I am far from a yuppie as a sports anchor at a conservative talk radio station. Political correctness? Being pro-Toyota in the sport is VERY politically incorrect. Speaking to the kind of political correctness you’re talking about….I think not. I’ve chosen the vehicles I have over the offerings from the big 3 because I know they won’t fall apart after 100k miles, they get the gas mileage I’m looking for, AND I got them for a better price than their so-called “American” counterparts.
Let me ask you this Jim….how’s your track record for buying American. Are you confident that the clothers you buy, the shoes you wear, the food you eat is all American? What’s wrong with buying what you believe to be the best product for your money, regardless of where it was made? What if you needed surgery, would you want the best surgeon, or the best American surgeon?