Toyota Gazoo Racing Brings a New Era to North American Motorsports
Toyota is making a daring move by uniting its North American motorsports division under the global Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) brand. Starting with the 2025 season, Toyota Racing in North America will be known as Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA). This shift aims to strengthen Toyota’s global motorsports presence and align its racing efforts under one banner.
Here’s what you need to know about this transformation and how it impacts the future of Toyota’s motorsports legacy.
Aligning North American Motorsports with a Global Vision
Toyota has a long, successful history in motorsports, with over 60 years of experience. The decision to merge Toyota Racing with Toyota Gazoo Racing reflects a desire to create a unified global racing identity. By bringing all its motorsports efforts under the TGR banner, Toyota aims to streamline its brand and strengthen its engineering prowess.
Paul Doleshal, Group Manager of Motorsports at Toyota Motor North America, emphasized the importance of this move. He noted that the shift to Toyota Gazoo Racing aligns with Toyota’s goal of using motorsports to enhance its production vehicles. By pushing cars to their limits on the track, Toyota learns how to build more capable, reliable cars for consumers.
Continuing to Dominate in U.S. Racing
The rebranding won’t change Toyota’s dedication to winning in the U.S. Toyota has already made a name for itself in NASCAR, NHRA, Formula DRIFT, and other major racing events. The Camry will still dominate the NASCAR Cup Series, while the GR Supra will continue its run in the Xfinity Series. Toyota’s presence in drag racing and Formula DRIFT remains strong with its GR-branded cars, such as the GR Supra and GR Corolla Hatchback.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s GR Cup, which features the GR86, enters its third season in 2025. This series is a testament to Toyota’s dedication to creating race-inspired production vehicles. NASCAR’s CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will still feature the rugged Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, and the TRD nameplate will remain strong in off-road racing.
What the Future Holds for Toyota Gazoo Racing North America
The 2025 season will kick off with a four-hour GT4 race at Daytona International Speedway on January 24, with GR Supras taking the track. This marks the beginning of an exciting era for Toyota in North America.
NASCAR fans will see the Cup Series debut at Bowman Gray Stadium in February, further enhancing Toyota’s global motorsports presence.
For motorsports enthusiasts, this transition represents a new chapter in Toyota’s racing journey. It also means more exciting, race-inspired vehicles for drivers who crave high performance. Toyota Gazoo Racing’s mission is clear: push boundaries on the track to build better cars for the road.
The Impact on Production Vehicles
Toyota’s racing efforts directly influence its production models. The GR badge signifies cars built with lessons learned from racing. These vehicles are designed for drivers who want an exhilarating, dynamic driving experience. Toyota’s engineers refine their designs based on insights from motorsports, making the cars you drive every day more reliable and fun.
The transition to TGRNA is not just a rebranding—it’s a commitment to making better cars. Fans of Toyota’s performance vehicles, such as the GR Supra and GR86, can expect even more thrilling innovations as the company continues its quest to push automotive engineering to new heights.
Final Thoughts
Toyota Gazoo Racing North America is poised to deliver more excitement, speed, and performance to the motorsports world. The rebranding reflects Toyota’s global vision while continuing its championship-winning ways in the U.S. With the upcoming 2025 season on the horizon, Toyota fans can expect even greater things both on the track and on the road.