PLANO, Texas (April 23, 2025) – Toyota will be entering its 20th year of USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series’ competition when the season kicks off this weekend with a double-header at Kokomo Speedway.
The manufacturer began its historic run in 2006, when Dave Steele and Nine Racing won in Toyota’s midget racing debut at the USAC Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway.
"It's amazing to believe Toyota is heading into our 20th year of USAC National Midget racing," said Tyler Gibbs, president of Toyota Racing Development (TRD, U.S.A.) "We have had the privilege to race against some of the toughest competitors and have been fortunate enough to partner with some of the best people in the sport including Steve Lewis, Keith Kunz, Pete Willoughby, Chad Boat, and Rick Long, as well as some incredible racers such as Dave Steele, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Buddy Kofoid, Cannon McIntosh, Daison Pursley and so many more. We're thrilled to have won 10 USAC titles and over 500 national midget features, but it's not over yet. We look forward to many more."
The program began when Toyota combined with Steve Lewis’ Nine Racing and engine builder Ed Pink.
“Toyota wanted to expand into grassroots racing, and we were able to apply the TRD NASCAR Truck cylinder head to USAC racing,” said Gary Reed, now retired vice president of Special Racing Projects for TRD, USA. “So, we met with Steve Lewis and Ed Pink, and Ed Pink Racing was able to assist in designing the block and the rest was history. We had no idea that it would remain as competitive as it has been for so many years.”
Current NASCAR star Christopher Bell won Toyota’s first USAC championship in 2013 and Toyota-powered drivers have gone on to win 20 overall midget racing titles (10 USAC, eight POWRi and two Xtreme Outlaw). Bell remains the winningest Toyota midget racer with 59 career wins.
Two current Toyota teams have combined to win the last three USAC titles and they will once again lead Toyota into the 2025 campaign, with Cannon McIntosh, Jacob Denney and Gavin Miller as the lead drivers for Keith Kunz Motorsports, while Justin Grant, Zach Wigal and Drake Edwards will be the headliners for CB Industries.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 32 electrified options.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Media Contacts:
Sam Mahoney, Toyota PR, 980-900-8573
Samuel.Mahoney@Toyota.com
John Procida, Toyota USAC PR, 313-515-3985
johnprocidapublicrelations@gmail.com
