Toyota has submitted its Tundra race truck to NASCAR for approval to compete in the Truck series in 2004. The design for the new truck was started more than a year ago by Toyota Racing Development, with the help of Swift Engineering in California. “We have a wealth of experience and talent at TRD in creating an engine from scratch, but in developing the Tundra chassis and body we went to industry experts with the know-how in NASCAR-type equipment,” said Jim Aust, president and CEO of TRD. “It’s been a great learning experience and a very gratifying journey,” Aust added. “But we know a lot of the hard work is yet to come. We’re working diligently to prepare our Toyota NASCAR V-8 for submission in a few months.” The Tundra truck submitted to NASCAR will undergo final aerodynamic evaluation by the sanctioning body, along with the other manufacturers’ trucks. On-track testing of the Toyota truck is scheduled to begin this summer and continue into the fall.( ThatsRacin.com/AP )(7-18-2003)
