Toyota execs support Waltrip through crisis

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Throughout the day Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway, Toyota's hard line response to one of the most severe penalty packages ever handed down in NASCAR's history, to its flagship organization, Michael Waltrip Racing, eased somewhat.

Waltrip's organization is the only one fielding vehicles in all three national touring series competing this week at Daytona.

After issuing a written statement of Toyota's response to the penalties that appeared ominous, at best, Jim Aust -- Toyota's highest-ranking U.S. motorsports official -- visited Daytona's Media Center Wednesday evening to offer Waltrip the company's support.

Aust, president of motorsports for Toyota Motor Sales USA and president and CEO of Toyota Racing Development (TRD), said "Michael is a great individual and I don't know that this one instance should taint him for the rest of his life.

"This is not something he intended to have happen. Michael will probably see the effects of it over time, but he's a very charismatic individual, he's got a lot of fan supporters and we are supportive of his organization as well."

Waltrip's sanctions included loss of a car, his qualifying lap, two employees who were ejected from the event, money and driver and owner points.

"I think we have to let NASCAR go ahead with their investigation," Aust said. "Certainly we're looking forward to a long-term relationship with Michael [because] he's a great guy.

"It's unfortunate that this happened to his team -- it's disappointing to him and it's disappointing to Toyota and we will continue on with our relationship with Michael.

"What we would like to do is help him to get to the bottom of the problem so that he knows how things happened and that's our aim at this particular point."

At a manufacturers' forum held at the same facility Wednesday morning, senior vice president and general manager of TRD Lee White cited the company's "disappointment" with the team's actions. (Continued)