Daytona's First Foreign Entry

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 30, 2007 — -- As they race the Ford Fusion engines on a stationary platform at the Wood Brothers racing team headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., in preparation for NASCAR's biggest race of the year, the noise is potentially deafening and everybody wears headphones.

In a windowed closet adjacent the car, technicians peer at a computer screen as the "speed" heads north of 200 miles per hour. The exact speed, as well as other technical data being charted, are top secret. But trust me, the Fusion was burning it up.

The Charlotte area is the headquarters of many of the best racing teams in the country. And this week, the pace is really picking up. Whether it's Fords, Chevys or Dodges, the American brands are preparing for the Feb. 18 Daytona 500 -- and they are all well aware that a newcomer is ready to join them this year.

For the first time, the Japanese-made Toyota Camry is entered in what NASCAR proudly calls "the great American race."

It's not the first foreign influence on the event. Dodge is made by Daimler-Chrysler, a German manufacturer, but the brand is still viewed as American.

With Toyota, the Japanese introduction to the great race is creating controversy, to say the least.

"If Toyota wins the Daytona 500," said Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers, "That'll be a little hard to swallow."

A little hard to swallow?

For many traditional NASCAR fans, the mere inclusion of the Japanese automaker is tough to take. If the Camry winds up winning the race, there's no telling what could happen.

"A lot of fans are looking at Toyota's entry into NASCAR, especially starting with the Daytona 500, as somewhat of a slap in the face to the old school style of NASCAR," said Kim Roberson of InsiderRacing.com.

Last week at the Daytona speedway, a clutch of fans watched some practice rounds.

"I don't think they belong on the track," one fan said of Toyota. "It's a sport dominated by Americans."

Others suggested that if Toyota wants in, then they should use Japanese teams. "I'd like to see Toyota come in and put their Japanese drivers in there with the boys from Carolina and Georgia," said another spectator.