| The world’s largest automaker, Toyota and | | | | A-game because that's the only game the Western |
| producer of Lexus performance parts has recently | | | | Speed Racing team ever brings to a race track." |
| announced its plan of expanding its USAC | | | | Kevin Gerhardt is also thrilled with the prospect of |
| involvement and this time to include the development | | | | them being the first to try the new Toyota Sprint |
| of engines for Sprint Car and Silver Crown | | | | Car engine, he said: "We’re really excited |
| competition starting with the currently held Turkey | | | | because we know the history of what Toyota has |
| Night Grand Prix at the Irwindale Speedway. | | | | done in NASCAR, particularly with the trucks. This is a |
| The giant Japanese automaker has begun its USAC | | | | very competitive series with former drivers like Jason |
| Midget Series participation last year where it obtained | | | | Leffler, J.J. Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Casey Mears. For |
| four victories with Steve Lewis’ 9 Racing team. | | | | this year’s Turkey Night and next season, |
| It has also participated at the Copper World Classic in | | | | we’ll be utilizing the new Toyota 360 Sprint Car |
| Phoenix with driver Dave Steele. | | | | engine and with Toyota power, we’re expecting |
| For this year, 2007, Toyota is adding engine support | | | | to continue to be upfront." |
| for Cruz Pedregon Racing and 9 Racing’s Steele | | | | TOYOTA 360 SPRINT CAR ENGINE SPECS |
| as both teams tries their best to be in the | | | | Block: Cast iron, 360 cu. in. V8 Heads: Aluminum as |
| winner’s circle for this season. | | | | developed for the Toyota 4-cylinder USAC midget |
| Les Unger, Toyota National Motorsport Manager said, | | | | engine. Fuel: Alcohol with Mechanical Fuel Injection |
| "Entering the first-ever Toyota-powered sprint car in | | | | Other: Also approved for USAC Silver Crown Series |
| the 2007 Turkey Night is another milestone in | | | | Distributor: Ed Pink Racing Engines, Van Nuys, CA |
| Toyota's 25-year history of motorsports participation | | | | The Toyota 360 engine is an offshoot of the |
| in the United States. We believe that the new | | | | automaker’s current eight-cylinder engine that |
| Toyota 360 sprint car V8 will carry the Toyota brand | | | | was used in NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck |
| into winner's circle not only in USAC Western Sprint | | | | Series competition. To accommodate the alcohol fuel |
| and Silver Crown competition, but also at numerous | | | | run, Toyota engine engineers has made minor |
| other local short track ovals across the country." | | | | alterations for the USAC competition. They have also |
| The new Toyota Sprint Car engine will be used by | | | | switch from using a carburetor to a mechanical |
| Rick and Kevin Gerhardt’s Western Speed | | | | injection system. Likewise, the cylinder heads are |
| Racing with driver Bobby Santos at the upcoming | | | | similar to the ones used in the Toyota USAC National |
| Turkey Night Grand Prix. Santos is also a | | | | Midget Racing Series program. |
| development driver for the Toyota-powered Bill | | | | The sprint car initiative together with the Silver |
| Davis Racing NASCAR team. Western Speed Racing | | | | Crown embodies Toyota’s commitment to |
| will campaign a two-car Toyota-powered team for | | | | USAC. The automaker has also set a $25,000 |
| the full 2008 USAC Western Sprint Car Series. | | | | Toyota Challenge which is a year-end bonus fund |
| Gary Reed, TRD Vice-President of Special Racing | | | | that covers all USAC National Midget Series |
| Projects said, "The Gerhardt family has built Western | | | | competitors that is aside from the contingency |
| Speed Racing into one of the finest, most diverse | | | | program that rewards those with exemplary |
| short track, open-wheel teams in the country. When | | | | performance at the grassroots level for |
| their competitors see those orange cars sitting in the | | | | Toyota-powered teams. |
| pit area, they know they better be ready with their | | | | |