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Toyota announces end to NHRA involvement after 2025 season

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 4:41 PM ET

After the 2025 season, Toyota will no longer participate in NHRA Drag Racing. This will end a relationship that began in 2002. NHRA will now only have three manufacturers in the series.

Toyota just finished up its first-ever Manufacturers Cup championship. However, the brand is pulling out of the NHRA following next season.

Currently, Toyota works with six NHRA teams in Top Fuel and Funny Car. AB Motorsports, DC Motorsports, Kalitta Motorsports, Ron Capps Motorsports, SCAG Racing, and Torrence Racing all work with the manufacturer now.

Kelly Crandall of RACER reported the news this afternoon.

“Our NHRA Drag Racing involvement has brought much success and pride across our entire organization,” said Paul Doleshal, general manager of motorsports for Toyota Motors North America, via Crandall. “Our NHRA drivers and teams have truly become part of our Toyota family. We look forward to competing for more wins and championships with our supported teams in the upcoming season, and we will work diligently along the way to make sure each team and driver have the tools necessary to compete at the highest level for the years to come.”

NEWS: Toyota will end its involvement in NHRA drag racing after the 2025 season

“Our NHRA Drag Racing involvement has brought much success and pride across our entire organization,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager, motorsports, TMNA. “Our NHRA drivers and teams have truly…
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) December 4, 2024

Toyota participates in a number of motorsports worldwide. This might be a one-off decision. However, it could get disconcerting if it becomes a pattern and the car maker starts to pull out of other series.

NHRA losing manufacturer while NASCAR tries to attract more

It is hard to say that Toyota leaving NHRA is a sign of things in motorsports at large. We just saw General Motors and its Cadillac brand announce a Formula 1 team for 2026. So, there is an interest from manufacturers to get more involved in racing.

At the same time that NHRA is losing Toyota, NASCAR is trying to expand its manufacturer portfolio. In recent years there have been two brands named; Honda and Hyundai. Then again, every time an executive is asked it is always talked about in the short to medium term.

The Next Gen car is supposed to attract other OEMs. Lower horsepower is supposed to be more attractive, no one wants to build a V8 engine anymore. But if these changes don’t actually get a new manufacturer to commit to the sport, then is it worth it?

It doesn’t appear that Toyota leaving NHRA is a trend of things to come. However, it isn’t good for American motorsports overall for drag racing to lose a brand that was so forward-focused on its racers and teams.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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