Regional touring divisions have been part of NASCAR since 1954, when the sanctioning body began operating the Pacific Coast Late Model circuit, now known as the Winston West Series. As NASCAR racing grew in popularity, officials realized more divisions were needed to groom and train the sport's future stars. From 1985 to 1998, seven other series were added to give NASCAR fans and competitors a wide range of racing options. In January 2003, the sanctioning group announced a major restructuring of these various divisions to create a true "stepping stone" progression from weekly racing to its national series. This restructuring subsequently set the stage for a unique event in NASCAR's regional touring history-the Toyota All-Star Showdown.
The "Grand National Division" title, which once referred to the Winston Cup series and, more recently, the Busch series, was transferred to the Busch North and Winston West series. These two regional series, which feature cars similar to those used on the national Busch series, are now considered a final step-a finishing school-for drivers aspiring to a Winston Cup career. Under this change, these two divisions are now using the same rule book for the first time.
Another four of NASCAR's regional tours-Featherlite Southwest, International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest, Kodak Southeast, and Raybestos Brakes Northwest-were designated as the NASCAR Elite Division. These series had already been racing with the same rules and car specifications since 2001, but are now officially considered a single division. With Late Model-style cars, the Elite Division has become a logical first step in a local driver's career.
With matching rule books completed, the next step was apparent: bring them together for a single, all-star caliber weekend of racing.
Come TogetherA three-day event was created, and the inaugural race is scheduled for November 6-8, 2003. Irwindale Speedway, a state-of-the-art half-mile asphalt short track located 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles, was selected as the site due to its warm climate, fan amenities, and previous experience with NASCAR's regional racing divisions. Toyota, which recently announced its entry into the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004, signed on as the event's title sponsor. That critical support helped raise the posted awards to more than $500,000, a monumental sum by regional racing standards. Finally, SPEED channel stepped in to televise the main event, live at 8 p.m. (ET) on November 8, which will bring regional racers in front of a dedicated audience.
The Toyota All-Star Showdown will put the best drivers in the NASCAR Elite and Grand National divisions on a national stage. At this level, establishing a full-time racing career is the top priority for most drivers. A chance to showcase their talents to a national audience-and compete for this type of purse-is a dream come true.
Auggie Vidovich Jr. of Lakeside, California, competes in the NASCAR Elite Division, Featherlite Southwest Series and summarizes many drivers' opinions with his comments. "That is going to be awesome," Vidovich says. "This type of event is a really big deal and something beyond a championship that I can really look forward to. I think it is going to be great to race against the best drivers in the country in this type of car."
On the opposite coast, Matt Kobyluck of Uncasville, Connecticut, has been an active proponent of the common rules introduced for the new Grand National Division, which has made the Toyota All-Star Showdown possible. Kobyluck has already brought his No. 40 Mohegan Sun Chevrolet that he campaigns full-time on the Busch North Series to the West Coast for selected Winston West events.