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.

"Depending on what [the] outcome [of NASCAR's initial investigation] is obviously we will have some further discussions with that team and decide what our relationship is going to be in the future," White said.

After NASCAR's verdict was handed down, Aust's written statement seemed like another proverbial shot fired across Waltrip's bow.

"We are very disappointed and concerned in the events that have happened over the past few days," the statement said. "These activities have been a distraction to our main goal this weekend, which is to compete in our first Daytona 500.

"Toyota certainly does not condone actions such as these by any of our NASCAR team partners. Toyota is a company that was built on integrity, and that remains one of the guiding principles of the company.

"We want to compete, we want to win races and we want to challenge for championships -- all while following the rules."

A couple hours after being informed of NASCAR's decision, Waltrip issued a statement that disassociated himself and his organization, not from personal responsibility, but from any knowledge of the act.

"This is not the action of an organization, a manufacturer or a sponsor -- this was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team," Waltrip said in the statement. "As an owner, I realize I am ultimately held responsible for the actions of my employees, therefore I accept the penalties issued [Wednesday] by NASCAR."

Aust said any appeals of the penalties or decisions to terminate employees were Michael Waltrip Racing's responsibility. Thursday morning, Waltrip said he would wait for the investigation to play out before he made that decision.

"In the past 12 months, Michael Waltrip Racing has hired more than 150 people and we currently employ more than 200," Waltrip said. "Although we have grown at an accelerated pace, it has been our mission to hire people with high moral value and character to properly represent our sponsors and our ownership.

"During preparations for the 2007 season and especially the 2007 Daytona 500, I specifically requested that our competition teams not disrespect NASCAR, our competitors or our sponsors by blatantly circumventing the rules.

"I respect NASCAR's rules, its people and the sport's integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed. I am dedicated to get to the bottom of this because I will not let the independent act of an individual or individuals tarnish the incredible accomplishment my organization has made to be where we are today."

Waltrip in a Thursday morning news conference said he had considered withdrawing his No. 55 Camry from the day's Gatorade Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500, but declined. Waltrip later raced his way into his 21st consecutive 500 by finishing ninth in his race, the first go-or-go-home driver.

He also fields Nextel Cup Camrys for Dale Jarrett, who is a guaranteed starter thanks to his past champion status, and rookie David Reutimann; a Camry in the Busch Series for Reutimann; and a Toyota Tundra in the Craftsman Truck Series for Tyler Walker.

Waltrip was extremely contrite in his morning briefing and expressed the same concern in his statement Wednesday night.

"I want to apologize to the other owners," Waltrip said, "who know how hard I've worked to get here in such a short period of time, NASCAR, Toyota, NAPA, all my sponsors, the drivers and especially the fans."