Six Tundras drivers finished in the top-10 at Memphis: Jack Sprague (second), Mike Skinner (fourth), Aaron Fike (fifth), Ryan Mathews (No. 36 Lilly Company/Toyota Industrial Equipment Tundra, sixth), Johnny Benson (No. 23 360 OTC Tundra, seventh) and Todd Bodine (No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Tundra, eighth). Other drivers in the field were Brad Keselowski (16th), Terry Cook (No. 59 Harris Trucking Tundra, 29th) and Ken Butler (No. 00 Aaron?s Lucky Dog Tundra, 33rd).

Keselowski started, for the first of his NCTS career, on the pole in the No. 9 Team ASE Tundra for Germain Racing and led three times for 23 laps. Skinner led 16 laps, and has now led at least one lap in the season?s first 12 races. As a result, he tied the NCTS record for consecutive races led to start a season (Jason Leffler, 2002).

No. 60 Con-way Freight Tundra driver Jack Sprague said that it was a difficult race. He explains that they were horrible but they did a great job with we made some great adjustments. According to him, his truck was a little loose but cooperated by rotating pretty well in the center. He added that they have to give up something at this race track because it is not going to be perfect on both ends.

No. 5 Toyota Tundra diver Mike Skinner said that the truck was very consistent though each set of tires they put on it was a bit different. He considers the recent race as the best run they have ever had in Memphis.

No. 1 RFMS Tundra diver Aaron Fike said that they were looses the whole race but it was their first top-five of the season. He added that they probably should have had a couple top-fives already this year, but they caught a couple bad breaks. He further said that they been in the top-10 in points all year so it is nice to get a good finish and keep the truck up there in points.

No. 9 Team ASE Tundra driver Brad Kaselowski commented that they had a strong truck all night, but it just did not end how they wanted it to. He said that he used everything he had to get to Travis and pass him. Kaselowski caught a little break in traffic to get by Travis. The two got into more traffic and could not get around a couple lapped trucks, and used the rear tires a little too hard and used them up. Though disappointed, Kaselowski was certain that it was the best run he has ever had.

Toyota’s History in America Motorsports

Aside from making quality auto parts such as Toyota Highlander parts, Toyota is also into the world of Motorsports.

Challenges abound as Toyota prepares to face its biggest motorsports test ever in North America when it enters the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series this year.

In 2006, a pair of manufacturer’s championships, a driver’s title and a win in America’s most prestigious sports car race was all a part of the rich motorsports history. Todd Bodine bagged Toyota’s first-ever NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) Driver’s Championship with three victories. Furthermore, Bodine led a sweep of the top six positions by Toyota Tundra drivers to give Toyota its first Manufacturer’s Championship. For the season, Tundra drivers would achieve victory 12 times in the 25-race campaign.

At a glance, this seven-passenger crossover utility vehicle (CUV) Mazda CX-9 looks very durable, quiet and really amazing.

It is a fact that SUVs ate the vehicle of choice of many. Lighter crossover vehicles, however, are shining little by little due to the continuously increasing cost of gasoline. The unnecessary weight of truck-based SUVs is also a factor.

CUVs share common traits that are patterned on car platforms. They are more efficient and controllable as compared to big SUVs. The CX-9, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and other larger CUVs are not much smaller than minivans. However, they come with striking aggressive styles, and these give them identity in their sporty appearance that hides on their sizes.

The chassis of the CX-9 is derived from that of the Mazda 6, while the basic design and many parts are the same as those with the Edge and MKX. As compared to the Ford Edge, the wheelbase of the CX-9 is 2 inches longer.

With a starting price of $29,035, the Mazda CX-9 is available in three trim levels.

The CX-9 really resembles like the smaller CX-7. As a matter of fact, one might get confused which is which when these two vehicles are parked together. The only physical difference of the two is the sides of the exterior.

The striking looks of the CX-9 includes sharp nose, angled windshield and tapered roofline. All these contribute to a wedge-shaped profile that looks perfect by the wind. To cover the fat tires, the powerful looking bulging rear fenders do their task. Standard are 18 inches wheels and optional are 20-inchers. An example of the 20-inchers is the Grand Touring model.

The CX-9 does not lack carefully executed styling details. Some of the evidences are the taillights which are trimmed with chrome and convex rear hatch. Appropriately combined wood-grain trim, satin-finished accents and piano black panels make the interior of the Touring model test car really a great deal.

Mazda?s distinguished door panels have curved ribs that echo those of the center stack. The power window switches are placed on the top of the ribs.

At night, the instrument panel is cool. Highlighted by a blue light in a circle, the red number are in the main gauges. To light the door handles and make a soft glow on the center console, the blue LEDs do their task.

The CX-9 is durable and quiet, and that is because it is using Ford’s 3.5-liter V-6, which is rated at 263 horsepower. Crowded highway acceleration is accessible while the engine does its task with just a very minimal noise.

It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission. Optional is the all-wheel-drive system that provides traction to all four wheels.

A large and wide cabin is also impressive in the CX-9. For easy accessibility to the third row, the second-row seat slides forward.

For the passengers to further feel comfort, a power outlet and a jack for an MP3 player is present on the center console.

When the rear seat is folded down, the rear cargo area becomes available with an ample space. However, the top-hinged rear tailgate was quite heavy to close. But that does not lessen the power, efficiency and comfort that the CX-9 gives.

About Mazda Motor Corporation

A Japanese automotive manufacturer that is based in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation is the maker of quality and top of the line auto parts such as Mazda muffler.

In addition to that, Mazda is also a well known producer of different types of vehicles and their parts.

The company is expected to produce 1.25 million vehicles annually as of 2006. Among Japan, Europe, North America, and Latin America, its sales will be evenly divided.

Mazda?s 33.4% of controlling interest is controlled by the Ford Motor Company.