I’m awake, I think…But I just watched Brian Vickers in the number 83 Red Bull Toyota lead about 60 laps of the Coca Cola 600! Can I be dreaming? A fast, powerful Toyota running with the big boys of NASCAR? The announcers alluded to some developments in the engine department, so maybe, just maybe, Toyota has finally arrived and is ready to play. Dale Jarrett’s Toyota was already out of the race with a blown engine, so one hopes Vickers won’t meet that same fate. In any case, as someone who habitually roots for the underdog, yaaaaay Toyota!
Of course, Jimmy Johnson just passed Vickers for the lead, still I’m pretty happy to see some improvement from Toyota. Now if Michael Waltrip can start getting back into races….but maybe I’m asking for too much now. LOL
Update: Vickers would go on to place 5th after losing his power steering and a nasty brush up with the wall. Good show! Jeremy Mayfield’s Toyota was also having a good day until the engine blew very late in the race. Ultimately Casey Mears went on to score his first Nextel Cup win on an economy run.