Toyota currently runs six full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series between Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing. It has seen major success since it entered the sport for the 2007 season; however, the best driver for the manufacturer is no longer with them.
Kyle Busch, the driver of the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing, left Toyota after Joe Gibbs Racing did not bring him back and elevated Ty Gibbs instead. Busch is a two-time Cup Series champion and the most winningest driver in NASCAR history.
Toyota’s lineup is now on the younger side with Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, and Christopher Bell. However, the manufacturer is planning something that could increase the strength of its Cup Series lineup moving forward.
Related: Toyota discusses Kyle Busch’s departure as NASCAR enters the 2023 season
Toyota looking to expand in the NASCAR Cup Series, optimistic about 2024 plans
Toyota came very close to winning the NASCAR Cup Series driver and owner’s championship last year. Bell was likely going to prevail over Joey Logano on a long green-flag run during the championship if not for a late caution due to Michael McDowell.
That yellow flag marked the end of Bell’s chances after a bad pit stop by his No. 20 team. Due to the caution, Toyota now enters another season trying to reclaim the magic found by Busch in 2019.
Chevrolet and Ford have more teams on their side which increases their chances of winning a championship. Now, Toyota is looking to expand for the 2024 season as said by David Wilson, President of Toyota Racing Development, in an interview with NBC Sports.
“We’ve got some good irons in the fire now. What was once a very effective strategy to amass our resources across fewer cars, with the marginalization of the areas that we have to play in and the flattening out of the playing field, we definitely need some more help…nine to 10 cars is probably our sweet spot with this new car. We’re talking to a lot of the incumbents. It’s a very dynamic time right now…The good news is there’s a lot of interest.”
David Wilson on Toyota expanding in the NASCAR Cup Series
It is not surprising to see Toyota’s desire to expand for many reasons. The Toyota driver pipeline is likely the best in NASCAR and has been for years; however, there are limited seats available when they hit the top level.
A few situations make sense for Toyota overall. JTG Daugherty Racing owner Tad Geschickter’s marketing team was hired by Joe Gibbs Racing and the teams have a history of working together, such as with pit crews.
This would bring the total to seven entries and if 23XI Racing expands, it could be as high as nine cars for the manufacturer. There are certainly avenues for Toyota and it sounds like they are being pursued with the landscape of NASCAR changing by the day.