The new Toyota Indy V8 3.0-liter enginewill make its on-track debut this weekend during the manufacturer’s closed test at the IndianapolisMotor Speedway. Four of the five Toyota-powered teams are expected to participate includingTarget Chip Ganassi Racing, Marlboro Team Penske, Kelley Racing and A.J. Foyt Enterprises.
TOYOTA’S KVAPIL TAKES NCTS POINTS LEAD – Just two races into Toyota’s new NASCARCraftsman Truck Series program, Toyota-powered driver Travis Kvapil has taken over the seriespoints lead. The defending series champ has registered a pair of top-five finishes with a second atDaytona and a fourth at Atlanta to take a four-point lead. Kvapil’s joined by two more Toyotapowereddrivers in the top 10 with rookie David Reutimann in fourth and Mike Skinner in eighth.
DIXON TESTS F1 – Long-time Toyota open-wheel driver Scott Dixon tested with the WilliamsFormula One team this past week and was quickly up to speed. In just one day of testing, Dixonclocked a fast time within four-tenths of a second of that registered by Williams team driver RalfSchumacher, despite the fact that a faulty gearbox limited Dixon’s morning test time.Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager, “We identified Scott four years ago as ayoung driver that we thought had enormous talent and potential – and to date, he’s fulfilled thatpromise. It’s not surprising to us that he did so well in his first F1 test. He’s been a terrific additionto the Toyota line-up from day one.”
LEXUS DRIVER – TOYOTA RACE – Max Papis will make the switch from Lexus to Toyota for oneweekend in April. The Grand-Am driver will take part in this year’s Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, apart of the 30th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. Papis will spot a 30-second advantageto such celebrities as singer Lil Kim, actor Sean Astin, of “Lord of the Rings,” Frankie Muniz, of“Malcolm In the Middle” fame, champion boxer Laila Ali and Olympic swimming gold medallist DaraTorres. Papis will need a victory to match the exploits of current Ganassi Racing Lexus teammateScott Pruett, the 2001 race winner who’s already made certain that his Grand-Am teammate isaware of that fact.In addition to Pruett, Papis joins a group of the world’s finest professional drivers who haveparticipated in the race over the years including Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Al Unser, GordonJohncock and Rick Mears. Should Papis win, he’d hold an advantage over one other former proracer who participated in the event in 1986 – none other than his team owner Chip Ganassi.
TOYOTA RACE CALENDARNHRA: Summit Nationals, Las Vegas, April 4, ESPN2GRAND-AM: Food City 250, Phoenix International Raceway, April 10, 9 p.m. SPEEDIRL: Japan Indy 300, Twin Ring Motegi, April 16, 11:30 p.m., ESPN2NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK: Kroger 250, Martinsville, April 17, 1 p.m. SPEED*All times Eastern time zone
