You're right, but like you said, it's "doubtful." I don't see what major gains Toyota could get from fuel racing. I think it'd be cool to them and others like Honda, etc. out there, but not like the example you've given.
A lot of people are nervous about what happens if the cash-rich Japanese makers decide to get serious about getting involved with drag racing.
When Toyota went to get their V8 engine approved from NASCAR, be aware that there was not a single production part in it. From accounts of those close to the situation, Toyota got samples of each of the domestic manufacturers blocks and heads. They took the best features from each, threw in some Formula 1 engineering and submitted the parts.
I understand that each manufacturer's liason jaw dropped when they saw what was approved. With cross-bolted mains, deep crankcase webs and more, it looked more like a Formula engine than a beefed-up production piece.
Until the last race, Toyota held 1 through 5 in the truck standings. As of today, they hold first through third with 6 trucks in the top ten. They've been racing in the series for only a couple of years.
Interestingly enough, when I just checked the NASCAR site, the make of vehicle was not listed in the standings. I'm pretty sure it had always been listed before.
I'm not sure progress is always a good thing. IF one of the Asian manufacturers decided to get serious and offer boatloads of cash to the NHRA, don't think they wouldn't have a competitive line of entries in the fuel classes or Pro Stock -- with their Toyota engines.
