Brad Keselowski on Toyota: “I don’t think anyone really ever had a shot this year the second that thing got put on the race track”
Toyota finished 1st and 2nd. But, that’s sort of been the theme of the 2017 season. At least the second half of the season.
At the same time, another common theme was Brad Keselowski being vocal about the speed of the Toyota’s. Calling it an ‘Unfair advantage” and stating, “NASCAR hasn’t let a manufacture get this far ahead since the 70’s.”
Next year, Chevrolet get will debut a new body style. The Chevrolet Camaro joins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Related: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro
Does Ford get any help?
“I sure hope so. When that car rolled out at Daytona, we all got to see it for the first time. I think there was two reactions. One, we couldn’t believe NASCAR approved it. Two, we were impressed by the design team over there.”
The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota’s dominated the 2017 Clash at Daytona. The race was disturbed at the end, breaking up the Toyota chain. The chain that had been at the front for the entire day. Ironically, Joey Logano went to victory lane.
“With that said, I don’t think anyone really ever had a shot this year the second that thing got put on the race track and approved. It kind felt a little bit like Formula 1 where you have one car that kinda makes it through the gate, heads and tails above everyone.”
Related: Brad Keselowski on speed of Toyota (July 2017)
The new Toyota body isn’t just approved by NASCAR. It is also approved by Ford and Chevrolet. When looking at the numbers, the car was suppose to have the same level of downforce as the previous Toyota. It was just a new body.
“Your hands are tied because you’re not allowed to do anything to the cars in those categories to really catch up.” In other words, once NASCAR approves the body for the year, the body is set for the season.
Brad feel’s the mid season rule changes put the ball further into the Toyota court.
Related: Brad Keselowski explains why Ford’s dominated at Talladega (October)
“We went to the smaller rear spoiler this year. It of course, shift the aerodynamics on the car to the front. As the tracks get hotter and slicker, it really extrapolates the need for rear grip.”
“Right now, the Ford’s and the Chevrolet’s, with the 2017 spec are way down on that. It exaggerates some deficits as we get later into the race. That was the case again today.”
Brad Keselowski finished 7th in the race and 4th in the championship.
2018
Will Ford get some help in the 2018 season?
“I don’t know. I would assume that Chevrolet is allowed to design a car in the same way Toyota was. But, Ford doesn’t have any current plans. If that’s the case, we’re going to take a drubbing next year.”
Toyota’s won 19 races during the 2017 season. Martin truex Jr led the most laps, he had the most fastest laps, he won the most races and spent the most time in the top 15. Kyle Busch was 2nd in most of those categories, both Toyota drivers.
However, in the playoff’s the spanking was harder. Toyota Camry’s won 8 of the 10 playoff races.
Toyota also claimed the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship last night. Furniture Row Racing capped off the season with a win via Martin Truex Jr
Related: Brad Keselowski vs Kyle Busch on Toyota speed argument
Related: “I see Ford’s and Toyota’s up there in the top 10” -Dale Jr
Related: 2018 NASCAR rules package
Related: Brad Keselowski comments on 2018 rules package
Links
Brad Keseowski | Ford Performance | Team Penske | Toyota | NASCAR
