#ToyotaCamry

Now this is one subject that’s likely to polarize opinion, the fact that a Toyota Camry, will pace the 2012 Daytona 500 in February.

A generation ago, the very notion that a Japanese car would be leading the field during a NASCAR race was almost unthinkable, now, it appears to be a reality. However there is some logic to this. The Camry has, for the last 13 out of 14 years, been the best selling car in America and since 1986, all of those sold here, have also been built here, at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky assembly plant.

As the car has woven its way into the heart of America’s psyche it’s started popping up everywhere and it seems to have been greeted with a growing amount of enthusiasm, even amongst stock car racing insiders.

“NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway provide a uniquely American platform for manufacturers to display their technology, innovation and overall automotive excellence,” remarked Joie Chitwood III; President of Daytona International Speedway. “After nearly eight years of competing at NASCAR’s highest level, I’m pleased to have the 2012 Toyota Camry pace the DAYTONA 500.”

Toyota has been competing in NASCAR since 2004, beginning with Tundra pickup based stockers in the World Truck series. It has won five consecutive manufacturer’s titles in that series, while propelling drivers to the championship on three separate occasions (Jeff Bodine 2006 and 2010; Johnny Benson 2008).

In 2007 Toyota began running Camrys in the Nationwide Series and has since claimed 60 wins and three manufacturer’s cups as well as propelling Kyle Busch to the driver’s title in 2009.

Getting back to pace cars, Toyota has already used Camrys at the following NASCAR tracks: Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Dover International Speedway in Delaware, California’s Infineon Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, Richmond International Raceway; Wisconsin’s Road America and Watkins Glen International.

So, the very notion of a Camry pacing the Daytona isn’t perhaps too much of a stretch, though Toyota could perhaps use this opportunity to try and make the pacer at least a little bit exciting.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Toyota Camry Review or watch the video review after the jump:

Toyota has announced pricing on the all-new, seventh-generation 2012 Camry and Camry Hybrid. The all-new Camry and Camry Hybrid will be offered in four different model grades. The models will include the entry-level L, value-driven LE, premium XLE and sporty SE grades. The XLE and SE are available with four-cylinder or V6 engines. The Camry Hybrid is offered in LE and XLE grades.

With several previous leaks and two teaser images, the 2012 Toyota Camry may not need an official introduction any more, after a copy of a French Canadian publication detailing the new sedan has hit the web.

Toyota has just released the second official teaser photo of the new 2012 Camry. This picture follows a series of leaked unofficial shots and videos that ended up online in the last few weeks, not to mention the first official teaser image – of the headlight. Today’s photo shows angular taillight, with some of Toyota’s slightly more modern design cues as seen on the new Sienna. Still, there’s quite a similarity to the rear end of the previous generation Camry.

First Toyota released a teaser video of the 2012 Camry, then grainy photos of the car leaked online. Oh, and let’s not forget the leaked video from a dealer conference.

Still plagued by the effects of the March 11th earthquake, Toyota won’t be able to turn a profit Stateside until September.

Just days ahead of our first drive in the 2012 Toyota Camry and we have the first clear images of the most important new car that Toyota will launch in the next 12 months.

Sales of the Prius in 2011 are expected to surpass even the number sold in 2010 says Toyota, despite the disastrous earthquake in Japan that limited production of the popular hybrid.

The Japanese earthquake disaster and the resulting supply disruption mixed up the Top 10 best-selling vehicles in June, allowing the Chevrolet Cruze compact to top the chart in the US, a spot usually reserved for the Toyota Camry.

A short clip ostensibly taken during a meeting for American Toyota dealers appears to show the 2012 Toyota Camry in all its glory, as Toyota’s best seller makes its debut amid a soundtrack by Katy Perry.

Little is known about the 2012 Camry, aside from Toyota’s plans for an ambitious marketing blitz in advance of the vehicle’s on-sale date. But with Toyota’s Las Vegas dealer meeting having occurred this past weekend, we have every reason to believe that this is our first look at the most important product from Toyota. Of course, we can expect that a gasoline and a hybrid variant will be offered (the video mentions the Camry SE, Camry XLE and Camry Hybrid), but whether Toyota follows the lead of Hyundai and Chevrolet in offering only 4-cylinder engines remains to be seen.

We’ll be sure to bring you official details once they’re available.

Check out the video after the jump

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]