Toyota's Chili Bowl Involvement

In their ever increasing role as "America's Car Company", Toyota continues to increase their involvement in grassroots American racing. After all, what better way to prove how "American" your car company is than by competing in an uniquely American form of racing?

Look no further than this year's Chili Bowl entry list to see proof of Toyota's marketing machine at work.

• 5-Dave Darland, Wilke-PAK, Spike Toyota
• 7B-Autsin Brown, Kenny Brown, Spike Toyota
• 11-Jerry Coons Jr., Wilke-PAK, Spike Toyota
• 11T-TBA, Wilke-PAK, Spike Toyota
• 11W-Tim McCreadie, Wilke-PAK, Spike Toyota
• 17B-Brad Kuhn, RW Motorsports, Beast Toyota
• 17P-Cruz Pedregon, Kenny Brown, Spike Toyota
• 21T-Don Droud Jr., Betsy Stuebgen, Spike Toyota
• 40-Nic Faas, Western Speed Racing, Spike Toyota
• 71-Cole Whitt, Keith Kunz Motorsports, Bullet Toyota
• 71X-Gary Wright, Bernie Stuebgen, Spike Toyota
• 75R-Davey Ray, Cruz Pedregon, Spike Toyota
• 75W-Josh Wise, Cruz Pedregon, Spike Toyota

While that's a small percentage of the overall field (223 and counting) it's a significant step up for Toyota and their involvement a year ago. With the retirement of Steve Lewis and his Nine Racing Inc., it seems Wilke-PAK has taken over as Toyota's top team.

Give Toyota credit for sticking their nose into an area in which they had no previous involvement and instantly becoming competitive.

That being said, I hope an Esslinger Ford stomps 'em.