CLERMONT, Ind. — Toyota earned its first NASCAR Busch Series victory Saturday night when Jason Leffler topped the Kroger 200.
It was clearly a big night for Toyota executives, as the company has struggled in its entry into NASCAR racing this season.
“This is obviously one of the biggest days of our Busch/Cup program so far. It’s something we’ve been waiting for since we started the season — we knew we had a great Busch program,” said Jim Aust, president of Toyota Racing Development U.S.A. “Thanks to the whole organization at TRD, as well as the Braun group, to put together the effort they have over the course of the year.
“We knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of when, and we hope it is the first of many to come. This feels great to be in the winner’s circle, especially with the car side of it, and not just the trucks. Maybe this is the moment of things to come.”
“It’s been a little frustrating because I know this is where we need to be. Our teams are excellent, and I know we do a good job,” said Toyota’s NASCAR Busch Series program manager, Rick Lantz. “We are finally gelling and getting the program together. We can look forward to more victories in the future.
“Our teams work together to share information, and the crew chiefs work together. We see how it works in the Truck Series and how successful the teams have been there, and we knew it was going to be successful in the Busch Series.”