Full Throttle

As the NASCAR season gets closer the Toyota haters, xenophobes if you prefer, are starting to show themselves with more frequency.

I hate to think what will happen next week when the annual NASCAR media roadshow gets under way Monday. The rush of xenophobes may resemble that of an old west cattle stampede.

You have to marvel at the latest example as provided by Tom Sorensen.

Behold, Toyota Camry has No Sizzle. (keep your foil hat at the ready)

The Toyota Camry is dependable and reliable, not nearly as ugly as it used to be and the 2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

The Camry is great for driving to work, driving to the bank and driving to the dry cleaner.

But is it the car you want to take screaming into the turn at 182 mph and go three-wide with Jimmie and Jeff or Tony and Dale Jr.?

The Camry is many things, but a race car is not among them. Yet it is the model in which Toyota will this season make its Nextel Cup debut.

Sorenson suggests “when a Camry pulls up next to you at the stoplight, you do not cower.”

And this is not true of a Ford Fusion?

Whether Fusion or Camry, they are far from awe inspiring, like say a Lambo or the newest Vette.

They are what they are. The lead car in each manufacturers line-up and it’s been decided, given size restrictions imposed by NASCAR and marketing considerations, they would enter NASCAR with them.

One could provide a valid argument Sorensen isn’t one of the “haters.” You won’t hear it from me. The Camry Fusion “is great for driving to work, driving to the bank and driving to the dry cleaner,” to paraphrase Sorensen.

And your point is Sorensen?

I don’t come to this debate armed with only words, I provide visual proof, a CoT comparison of the Toyota and Dodge Avenger as provided by AutoBlog.

I defy anyone, including Sorensen, to tell the difference between the two.

Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle