TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota is expanding its involvement in USAC racing. The company has developed a new 360 cubic-inch engine for competition in the USAC Silver Crown and Western Sprint Car series.

Toyota, which entered USAC competition in 2006, debuted the engine with a victory in Thursday’s Turkey Night Grand Prix, participating in the USAC National Midget Series.

“We believe that the new Toyota 360 sprint car V-8 will carry the Toyota brand into the winner’s circle not only in USAC Western Sprint and Silver Crown competition, but also at numerous other local short track ovals across the country,” said Les Unger, Toyota National Motorsports Manager.

Rick and Kevin Gerhardt’s Western Speed Racing debuted the engine with driver Bobby Santos behind the wheel at Irwindale. Western Speed Racing will campaign a two-car Toyota-powered team for the full 2008 Western Sprint schedule.

“The Gerhardt family has built Western Speed Racing into one of the finest, most diverse short track, open-wheel teams in the country,” said Gary Reed, TRD Vice President of Special Racing Projects. “When their competitors see those orange cars sitting in the pit area, they know they better be ready with their A game because that’s the only game the Western Speed Racing team ever brings to a race track.”

The Toyota 360 engine is a derivative of the current eight-cylinder Toyota engine used in NASCAR, Busch and Craftsman Truck competition.  Minor modifications will be made to accommodate the alcohol fuel run in USAC competition, as well as the switch from a carburetor to a mechanical injection system. The cylinder heads will be similar to those used in the Toyota USAC National Midget Racing Series program.