Japanese car manufacturer Toyota have expressed their disappointment in NASCAR's decision to reduce the horsepower on their Nationwide series engines after dyno tests carried out recently revealed their superiority.
Dyno tests after the June 21 race at The Milwaukee Mile revealed a significant horsepower advantage for Toyota over Ford and Chevrolet. Toyota's peak horsepower number was 632, compared with 611 for Ford, 612 for Chevrolet and 628 for Dodge.
NASCAR's intent with the rule change is to balance competition. Toyota has won 14 of 21 Nationwide races this season, with cars fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing accounting for 13 victories.
Lee White, President and General Manager for Toyota Racing Development, said there is no technical justification for NASCAR to introduce changes in the engine rules that will ultimately penalise their teams for the success they have achieved this season.
As a result, they have now mandated that all Toyota engines must race with a smaller restrictor that cuts between 10 and 20 horsepower, supposedly putting them on a par with the current generation of engines run by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge.
"We're extremely disappointed in NASCAR's decision," White said in a statement. "In our opinion, there is no technical justification to penalise the Toyota engine utilised in the Nationwide Series.
"Toyota always has, and will continue to, abide by all NASCAR-mandated engine specifications and the Nationwide engine was built strictly to NASCAR specifications.
"The success of the Toyota Camry this year in the Nationwide Series is the result of hard work and achievement by all of our race teams. Despite this setback, we will continue to work diligently to keep our Nationwide teams competitive. Our hope remains that a Toyota team or driver will be rewarded with a championship at the conclusion of this year."
Dyno tests after the June 21 race at The Milwaukee Mile revealed a significant horsepower advantage for Toyota over Ford and Chevrolet. Toyota's peak horsepower number was 632, compared with 611 for Ford, 612 for Chevrolet and 628 for Dodge.
NASCAR's intent with the rule change is to balance competition. Toyota has won 14 of 21 Nationwide races this season, with cars fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing accounting for 13 victories.
Lee White, President and General Manager for Toyota Racing Development, said there is no technical justification for NASCAR to introduce changes in the engine rules that will ultimately penalise their teams for the success they have achieved this season.
As a result, they have now mandated that all Toyota engines must race with a smaller restrictor that cuts between 10 and 20 horsepower, supposedly putting them on a par with the current generation of engines run by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge.
"We're extremely disappointed in NASCAR's decision," White said in a statement. "In our opinion, there is no technical justification to penalise the Toyota engine utilised in the Nationwide Series.
"Toyota always has, and will continue to, abide by all NASCAR-mandated engine specifications and the Nationwide engine was built strictly to NASCAR specifications.
"The success of the Toyota Camry this year in the Nationwide Series is the result of hard work and achievement by all of our race teams. Despite this setback, we will continue to work diligently to keep our Nationwide teams competitive. Our hope remains that a Toyota team or driver will be rewarded with a championship at the conclusion of this year."