You regulars know I really stirred the pot last week when I voiced my personal opinion that I support the notion of Toyota and other “foreign” makes in NASCAR in the spirit of competition. Needless to say, I have a minority opinion on this matter.
If you know me, then you know I have no problem with giving the opposing point of view the floor. Especially when it’s my old buddy Jeremy T. Sellers from Jerm’s Joint Racing Pub.
Here’s his take on the matter. Ladies and gentlemen, here’s Jeremy Sellers unleashed…..
If you are a fan of Toyota, you should be ashamed of yourself! Now that I have your attention…
However, if you were one of the millions of innocent victims whose driver was forced into driving this make, or was out of work and needed a job, then I issue you all the “free pass”. Other than that, my introductory statement still stands. I am more than certain that a proverbial storm of stink will ensue after posting this article, but awareness is the key, and many are not aware.
Why do we drive foreign automobiles? This one is easy, better bang for the buck on fuel costs, dependability, blah, blah, blah. Though there is truth in what I just stated, we still need to realize where the profits are going, EVEN if Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, etc. are manufactured here in the states! The land of the rising sun people! Good ol’ far east Japan. Oh yes indeed, these folks have provided Americans with jobs, and allowed local and national economies to tread with their noggins above water, but it’s outsourcing without sending the actual jobs overseas! Yet, even that doesn’t hold true as of recent as Honda announced they are shutting down their motorcycle plant here in Marysville, Ohio and “reassigning” its employees.
Oh I can hear you other guys over there in the back corner. “What really constitutes an American-made car anymore? Parts from Canada, Japan, China, and Malaysia, assembled in Mexico, before running down the line in Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey…” You know, I’m not an economist, and I refrain from expressing my political party views here, but folks wake up, our economy is blowing chow right now! I digress. Besides, does anyone remember grass roots racing?
Sure, Toyota really has their game plan implemented and executed to a “T”. They bought Joe Gibbs like a rich, old geezer buys a trophy wife. It’s time for the “Big Three” to get off of their butts and deal with what they wanted to turn a blind eye to all along. Chevy, Ford, and Chrysler have been in some type of denial coma since Toyota came into the truck series, and are now they are whipping boys. Behind the 8-ball is even an understated cliche in this case. Just remember, denial ain’t a river in Egypt.
They have nobody to blame but themselves. Hell, many of US were on the same “Uh-huh” train as the American auto makers. So now what? Am I against foreign manufacturers in NASCAR? You bet my baseball and apple pie bippy I am! Am I indignant of their drivers? Absolutely not. I’m still one of those who thinks Dave Blaney could be one of the Cup Series’ little hidden secrets if given the right opportunity. J.J. Yeley was never given a fair shake. However, Kyle Busch is still one half of the idiot plagued Keebler Elf Twins, but beggars can’t be choosers, right?
This isn’t new folks. We had been warned that Toyota was comin’, but no one took them seriously. Oops, our bad! Now they’re here, and I’d like steak sauce with my kiester before you hand it to me on a plate. So, will I still pitch a fit every time a Toyota wins? Hey that’s my right as an American! However, will I be surprised? Absolutely not. Now Big Three, do you like cream or sugar with your coffee?
My rant for the week.
Thanks Jeremy, and while you’re here would you mind getting that boot out of my butt that I got last week?
Jeremy T. Sellers- a frequent contributor to Bump Drafts- is owner and author of Jerm’s Join Racing Pub. He is also a contributor for Stock Car Racing Online.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Great – and with such well thought out drivel like this its no wonder the American economy is in the state that its in.
I’m sure you didn’t take liberty with the Wal-mart speak of Mr Seller’s words as he sounds like many of the blindly uber patriots bent on living in the early 60s…..
Personally, I don’t care who makes the car and where the profits go. Just build me a car that looks decent, whose parts will last longer than a lease period and won’t break the bank on price. If they can do that in the US, I’d likely be the first one in line to buy it…no, who am I kidding…my 2000 Toyota 4Runner still runs like a dream so I don’t plan on being in the car market for quite some time. Now if I owned a Chrysler, that would be a different story.
2 responses:
1) What profits?
2) What kind of mental midget thinks that GM, Ford, and Fiat (er Chrysler) are owned by Americans and Toyota is owned by the Japanese?
All of these companies are owned by their stockholders, who are spread out across the world. (well Government Motors was, and will be again once they reissue stock).
Great article Jeremy! Of course I realize the need to get the most bang for your buck, especially in today’s economic downturn! Buying cars from foreign manufacturers does little to help our country’s situation! You would think that as “Americans” living in the greatest country in the world, our citizens would do all they could to help the United States. Our country built its strength on industry, now there is no industry to speak of! Likewise, American stock car racing is “our” sport. The NASCAR rule book had stated for years, that competition was allowed to all “domestic” automobiles that met specific guidelines. I have not seen a current rule book, so I imagine that this terminology has been changed to read “any automobiles” that fit the C.O.T. templates. Since front wheel drive and 4 door bodies are no longer illegal, all the Japanese had to do was “copy” our American pushrod V-8’s to be eligible. After spending megadollars, they came up with a very powerful purpose-built V-8, that can regularly outrun the big 3 brands. The point is however, these are still “foreign” cars and as such only make owners of foreign cars happy! The win on Sunday, sell on Monday philosophy is long gone, but is being revived by the Japanese invasion into Nascar. People actually think that if they buy a Toyota, they’ll have the same kind of Camry that Kyle Busch drives. Teen aged kids today, have never heard the throaty rumble and felt the V-8 power of a big block Chevy, a tunnel port Ford or “real” Hemi. Instead, they all like tuner cars with their bumblebee exhaust and rolling sound stages! I guess that’s just evolution at work, but I can’t understand it. Call me a flag-waver if you like, but I was born and raised in this country, I am a Vietnam Army veteran and I drive only cars from “American” manufacturers, even if the components are outsourced. My money goes to our manufacturers! If they fail, we will all feel the effects and it is not going to be pretty! Apparently, a large percentage of “American” citizens could care less about the hard work of our forefathers, who built this great country and suffered the fight for freedom that we enjoy today? Every time a foreign car is sold, another parts supplier, tire-maker or auto-related small business takes a hit. Sure, there are many American workers who have jobs “assembling” foreign cars in U.S. plants, but the profits are going to Japan, which doesn’t concern T-Bone!
Jim Davidson makes many good points. He is completely acurate on how Toyota got into Nascar. They copied the best of Ford, Chevy and Dodge for their race only engine. It is no wonder they got a horsepower advantage. But this subject is really beging to ware on me. If Nascar becomes a sport of all import nameplates then you can count me out as a fan. I do not watch the IRL because I do not want to watch a bunch of Hondas race and I no longer watch the truck series because it is Toyota dominated. However I would like to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to Colin Braun and Jack Roush for winning the truck race at MIS. Way to go guys!! As far as the subject of most “bang for the buck”, that is the very reason I bought my 2006 Ford Fusion. I have been and continue to be very pleased with this car. My wife drives it a lot for work and it has been perfect. I drive my Jeff Gordon addition 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo and the only trouble I seem to have with it are the Goodyear tires. The car is great. My son drives the 2002 Ford Taurus that my wife and I bought new and she drove until we gave it to him. It has 95,000 miles and has never had any trouble. I am sick and tired of hearing the stories of how bad these cars are. I have not experienced that at all. They have been great. That is my two cents worth for today. Thanks for letting me vent.
Your ford fusion is made in Mexico.
Of Course Joe W might not necessarily believe that Mike M, so a link is in order:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fusion_(Americas)
I’m sure the valve stem covers are likely good old American manufacturing though…
Just for kicks, here is a list of no less than 7 (count ‘em) recalls for his beloved 2003 Monte Carlo…
http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/09-int/2003/chevrolet/monte-carlo/index.html
The Taurus was already out for 7 years by the time the 2002 rolled out, so Ford likely had finally got the bugs worked out…aside from its 3 factory recalls, of course.
I am aware of this Mike M. It is still built with mostly American parts and assembled in Mexico. The company is still an American company, just like Toyota is still Japanese no matter where their cars are built. My Taurus was built in Atlanta Ga. and my Monte Carlo in Canada, I know how it works, so please do not talk down to me. I know what I like and I suppose you do too. I am simply putting in my thoughts on the matter. Like I have said before, you will NEVER see me driving a Honda. It is just not me. I need to like everything about a car before I lay down my hard earned dollars for one. That includes how it looks and rides. So everyone, have a nice day.
The very reasons you mentioned, better bang for the buck on fuel mileage, dependability, etc. are the reasons the American manufacturers are in their present situation. If they had met the Japanese invasion straight on by countering with the same kind of fuel mileage, dependability, etc. for the same bucks, they would have retained their share of the market.
Well John, bang for your buck also includes power. With the Fusion I got the V6 power I wanted. (I do not like 4 cylinders and I never will.) I also got power windows locks etc., six disk cd changer leather seats sun roof and on and on. I got all this much cheaper than an equally prepared Camry. I know because I shopped many dealerships. My fuel mileage is great on the Fusion. Next time you are on your favorite Toyota lot look at the estimated fuel mileage. You get a whole 2 miles per gallon more for 4 cyl. on the Camry. That is simular with most cars where there is the option of either. Not worth it as far as I am concerned. And as I have said before I have had no reliablity problems with my Fords of Chevy. This is my experience. Everyone’s is different. I just get tired of hearing the claims of superiority. I have not seen it. I have known three people who own Subarus and two of them had blown head gaskets at less than 30,000 miles. I know one person who bought a Suzuki and all she has had are problems from the day they bought it NEW. Different people, different situations. We have, as a people bought a “bill of goods” on certain things. I base my thoughts on my situation and what I have seen, not what someone on TV or radio tells me. Nuff said.
I once bought a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited – fully loaded. 3 years into the purchase I had to replace the following: Air Conditioner, Viscose Coupling, Water Pump, Fuel Pump, Brakes (all around), wiring harness for power windows, security system (went off whenever it felt like it), transmission clutch plates and a rotten oil pan. 4th year was the springs, wiper motor, entire exhaust system, alternator, another wiring harness for the same door and then 8, (count ‘em) 8 trips to a total of 3 different dealerships all in a fruitless effort to determine why the CHECK ENGINE light came on over and over. After almost 2K in funding their ’school project’ in troubleshooting, all the sensors were replaced and the light went off. Needless to say, I punted that piece of crap. It looked great and was comfortable, which are important when you’re stranded on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck.
On the otherhand, My 1990 Honda Prelude went 10 years on the front brakes and 8 on the rears. Full exhaust system lasted 7 years. Air con went 7 years as well for the first unit and another 7 for the one I replaced it with (Genuine Honda Part). 15 years I had that car, and the springs and shocks were still good. 1 water pump and 1 fuel pump in that time. Never a problem with the tranny. Original clutch.
My 2000 4Runner has been equally as reliable, and yes, I drive my vehicles a fair bit. Its great to hear that the US manus are finally working on gas mileage. Chrysler’s styling has been great, but at the end of the day, I buy my car to own, not to lease, so dependability is still number one in my book why the US manus have a long way to go.
Well T-Bone I have had no recalls on my Taurus. It is just fine thank you very much. This is exactly what I hate so much about import drivers. You insult my cars. I buy what I want. I do not care what you want. I hate Hondas because they are ugly and the seats are as hard as rocks. I would not attack your cars if you did not attack mine. I believe in live and let live. Everyone has the right to like what they want. That is where you import fans really burn me up. You talk down to me and call me stupid because I disagree with you. I thought this was a free country. Good Day!
I don’t plan to ever buy another GM or Fiat product. I don’t want my tax dollars spent to prop up a union. Period. I don’t care what any of you union types think of that either. Go talk to your own damned boss about your compensation for what you produce. GM has been way too many years feeding at the public trough, by making sweet deals with the government to prevent the competition from a fair chance to compete.
No one said anyone was stupid. I gave you a good concrete example of my experience with one of North America’s finest. It certainly changed my outlook on the vehicles and certainly didn’t instill much confidence in the competency of the dealerships that worked on it.
If Honda made a larger SUV I would have bought it in 2000. Alas it didn’t, but the 4Runner has proven to be equally as reliable.
I could regail about my experience with my other prior cars (1980 Monte Carlo, 1974 Plymouth Fury II and a 1971 Ford Maverick), but they read similar to the Jeep experience. I must admit though, no matter how many times my Monte carlo wouldn’t start, I couldn’t bring myself to sell it because it did look pretty mean. Eventually though, we all have to grow up, and I went for the steak, instead of the sizzle.
What difference does it make where our money is going when we buy a Toyota? Obama is selling our Country to the Chinese as Fast as he can
Those have been your experiences, and I am sorry for that but some of the cars you mention go back to the 70s. I have some stories myself of import cars in the 70s that were not well built. My father had a 73 Datsun 240z that the whole floor rusted out of and don’t get me started on the electrical system. He had other imports too and they were often times unreliable and expensive to fix. I think everyone is making a better product now than in the 70s or 80s, domestics and imports. They all made some poor choices in those decades. The bottom line for me is that I want a car that has performance and good looks along with fuel mileage and dependability. I am very satisfied with my cars and you are with yours. We will just have to agree to disagree on this point. Live and let live.
Well men, I think we’re straying from the point of the article, which is: should we have import brands in Nascar? You all make some good points and I agree with Jim Baker about the rampant greed of auto execs and the UAW. I still prefer trying to support the United States, by buying its manufactured goods. In Nascar there actually are no Chevys, Fords, Dodges or Toyotas. They are all purpose built race cars with pushrod V-8’s that closely resemble one another. The problem is, Toyota doesn’t make a sedan that “used” to be legal for Cup or Busch racing and they did not have a pushrod V-8. In Brian France’s infinite wisdom, he had his boys create the Car of Tomorrow, making almost any brand of automobile legal, as long as it fit the COT templates. Toyota spent megamillions to robotically produce their version of our V-8 engines. All of that is well and good, but this sport (up until the late-1990’s) was based on tradition and the spirit of “American” engineering. Old Junior Johnson ran the Wilkes County woods in good old American iron, not early Japanese cars! Global economy be damned…are we going to be satisfied once we finally sell out the last bastions of our American culture? I mean, no American industry, Girl Scouts in the Boy Scouts, Honda engines only in the Indy car series and Japanese “brands” in Nascar…how long will it be before our residential neighborhoods belong to foreign countries? We better wake up and smell the coffee pretty soon, or our grandkids are not going to have the great country that our forefathers built for us! Toyota and others in Nascar is just another nail in our US coffin. Time to revolt fans!
Sorry Jim D., we did digress a bit but really it is all related. I still like Nascar the way it was. Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. I would now be fine with just Ford and Chevy as Dodge is now owned by Fiat. As I have said before some of us agree and some don’t. That is part of what has made Nascar go over the years and is why I am very glad that I live where we can have a forum such as this and discuss these things. You make many interesting points but I do not want to get drawn into a political discussion. I just want to talk about cars. I hope everyone on here has a great rest of the day.
I had a most whitty response to these submissions and due the magic of my computer, the original draft disappeared. However, I will do my best to restate my rebuttal. Folks, you didn’t honestly believe that I would enter this piece here without realizing the controversey it would stir? After all, this article was featured on Stock Car Racing Online, Cars and Racing Stuff.com, RaceTalkRadiol.com, and ended up on Jayski.com. I was well aware of the back-lash I would receive for defending what I believe in, and was equally amazed at the amount of support I gained over having the juevos to put it out there.
You are entitled to believe what you will, after all that is what makes this country such a kick-ass place to live. However, if you believe Obama is soley responsible for selling us out to the Chinese, you should really pay more attention to goernment operations and economics. We have been on this slope for an eon or two with a consistant progression. So live in your land of the blame game if you will, I don’t care.
I would like to throw my hat in the ring as one of the fans who will forgo his fanship if there is an onslaught of foreign invasions into NASCAR. After all, I could switch to F-1, the Rolex Grand-AM Series, or the LeMans Series. At least there, I know what to expect. I am acquainted with just as many who have had difficulties with their foreign cars as those of us with autos from the big three. I would have to wonder if some read my article to completion as you would see I actually gave props to Toyota for having their game plan together before buying their way into NASCAR. When I say buying, it isn’t neccessairly a bad complaint. Folks, TRD did their research, and knew exactly which holes to throw their dollars in before jumping in with both feet, and the big three became complacent. Then again, I am restating my article.
I don’t know much about the 60’s since I am only 38. However, I do hear that Woodstock was pretty cool, and a slight muddy. Vietnam sucked as my fathers (yes, plural) tell me of disturbing circumstances faced there. So if my thinking is of that decade, call it Karma.
My style is rugged, raw, and controversial. This, by the amount of responses I see, was though-provoking. I have succeeded, which may anger even more of you, but the proof is in the literature. To those who supported this viewpoint, I thank you. To those who didn’t, your disagreement is well-respected, but personal attacks on my character will not be tolerated and I assure you I don’t lay down easily, but in the end, I still sleep at night.
Guys, I think you’re flogging the wrong horse here. If y’all don’t want to see more foreign makes in NA$CAR, then you need to be talking to NA$CAR. Don’t forget that NA$CAR, & ISC, are totally inbred! If they see the $$ tap being turned off, & I do think Brian has finally figured it out. Then they’re going to reach out to anyone who is still willing, capable of paying them. Don’t forget that ISC, stands to lose a bundle when the American manufacturers pull out. They’re not worried about what the teams are going to race, but who’s going to step up to sponsor the Honda dealers 500, the VW Farfignuten 500, etc, etc. In NA$CAR, the $ stands for MONEY, the R stands for racing. Guess which is the most important.
I have owned two Dodge Diesel 4×4 Duallys, with over 300,000 miles,and I am am currently driving one nowwith 120,000 on the odometer. I get 25 mpg empty and 17.5 mpg pulling a 28 foot box trailer with a 2850 lb race car and all the pit equipment. We just bought a 2008 Ram 1500 for my wife and we love it. I have owned Dodge/Chrysler products for the past 15 years and have not had more than minor issues with them. I owned one Ford and that was one too many. Toyota has had major 4 cyl engine problems in the past but was able to keep it out of the press. The Chrylser 300 was Motor Trends Car of the Year. The Dodge Ram has been Truck of the Year several times. American vehicles have been Best Buys and Vehicles of the Year times to numerous to count. Honda and Toyota build good vehicles, but SO DO THE AMERICAN COMPANIES!!!!
I’ll speak for my rusty 94 Dakota with 187000 on it. it never complains even though all I ever do is get in and turn the key, whether its -25 or 95 it just goes…just like the above guys Toyota…..sure I occasionally have to bang the dash to get the Speedo to work or that sure I could worry about that strange grinding noise I hear every once in a while since about the 125k mark but I don’t. I re-oil every 3000, check\kick the tires when the season changes, and keep refilling the damm leaky windshield wiper res. and I will probably drive her till she goes back to mother earth like the 86 ram I had, did before her.
I’m not going to blame Unions, Liberals, Communists, O’Riley, Limbaugh, Cheney or even the Vikings for the bad decisions that have been made at the upper levels of the orig big 3, its just how history is going to show how bleep happens.
I think the future holds for some very interesting automotive times ahead and I’ll someday be talking about the 2010 ram I blindedly bought.
NASCAR isn’t as fun right now because the racing isn’t great for most of the race no matter which manufacture is involved and while I’m still holding my breath for a mopar(with a french twist) to dominate, I’ll still be watching and waiting.
While I don’t necessarily Like the imports in NASCAR, it may be the sign of the times folks, I just wish the racing would get back to door handle to door handle stuff I remember during the late 70’s through the 80’s with the likes of DW, Dale, Bodine, Allison(bobby\davey), Baker, Jarrett, Yarborough…….aaaarrrgggg.. You all know what I mean right?
I think Characters and Emotions, and great racing will overshadow the car makes over the long haul so keep the faith!
p.s. my first car was a ford maverick, then 2 Malibu wagons, then a Toyota tercel with no clutch, a dodge polara, then a chev impala with minimal brakes, then a ply satellite with no reverse (strangely unstoppable during Minnesota snowstorms) then a 70 dart swinger340, then another Malibu wagon, on to a 72 duster 340(now stored in a garage) and finally the aforementioned 86 dodge 4×4………..so I’m slightly jaded ya know!