Toyota has elected not to release a statement regarding the recent NASCAR sanctions against Michael Waltrip Racing stemming from what NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton characterized as an attempt ‘to manipulate the outcome of the race” at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night. On Thursday, Ed Laukes, vice president for marketing communications and motorsports with Toyota Auto Sales, said the manufacturers ‘focus was on the three drivers remaining in the Chase” #20-Matt Kenseth, #18-Kyle Busch and #15-Clint Bowyer. ‘As far as the Waltrip organization goes, absolutely nothings changed with us’ Laukes said. ‘Were not going to really talk about it were just going to focus on exactly where were at with our three guys. I think, at the end of the day, we have to look at how we support our teams, and what happened in this situation is really between Michael Waltrip Racing and NASCAR. Its unfortunate, but its part of the sport. Theres a long history, long before Toyota got into the sport, of things that happened, and its really between Michael Waltrip racing and NASCAR. At this point we just have to stay focused on everything thats going on with the three guys and try to get a first Sprint Cup championship for Toyota.”( Fox Sports )
