Toyota Wins Again

What a difference a year makes!  I’ve said that before, regarding Michael Waltrip Racing, but this time I’m talking about both Toyota and Hendrick Motorsports.  Last year, Hendrick had firmly established itself, even this early in the season.  Toyota, on the other hand, was struggling to make races with teams that had no guaranteed spots.

This year, just six races in, Toyota has won twice, first with Kyle Bush and now with Denny Hamlin, and Hendrick is struggle to get top 10 finishes.  Hendrick drivers are making great ground, Jeff Gordon finishing second yesterday, but only Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been somewhat consistent.  Looking at the finishing order of each race to this point, it’s clear that Toyota has the upper hand.  For now.

No one doubted that Joe Gibbs Racing would be successful with Toyota.  With his history and the history of his three drivers.   No one, though, would have dreamed of Hendrick being shutout completely.

Watching the race yesterday, clearly Hendrick had the strongest cars.  Gordon, Junior and Jimmie Johnson led the vast majority of the race.  Only a few other drivers even took a turn up front.  Yet, when it came down to it, it was the Toyota of Gibbs that came out on top.  Some of that had to do with pit strategy, some to do with traffic and some to just plain timing.

One thing to take away from it, though, is the fact that no one will dominate this season as they did last year.  Parity may have finally arrived.  The question will be, how long will it last?

Cinch up those belts and let’s go racing.  JR