Toyota Gazoo Racing is using the NASCAR schedule to educate racing fans about its wide-reaching motorsports program. This is the GR Garage.
Unveiled at Daytona International Speedway, the GR Garage features a select group of race cars on display. One even hails from the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Toyota Gazoo Racing specifically flew the Toyota GR010 Hybrid prototype to Florida from Germany so that fans and media members could see it up close.
The other vehicles on display included a classic Toyota GTP Mark III that dominated the IMSA competition in the early 1990s, a Toyota GR86 GR Cup car, a Toyota GR Corolla Hatchback Formula DRIFT car, a Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO, and a Toyota GR Corolla TC.
The GR Corolla TC, in particular, began life as a production GR Corolla. It received numerous upgrades at the GR Garage in Mooresville, North Carolina. This way, it could compete in SRO’s TC America series.
Of course, these vehicles are not solely used for pursuing wins and championships in multiple series.
Paul Doleshal, group manager of motorsports at Toyota Motor North America, explained during the event at Daytona that some of the top drivers in the Toyota Gazoo Racing lineup provide crucial feedback for the automaker.
These drivers test the cars on a variety of tracks around the world. The information they gain then impacts decisions made about production cars. A direct example is the eight-speed automatic transmission in the GR Corolla. Drivers tested this unit on snowy roads in Finland and in multiple racing series around the world.
According to Toyota Gazoo Racing, the GR Garage will visit select events on the NASCAR schedule throughout the 2025 season. This will allow more fans to see the diverse group of race cars in person. They will better understand how the company is focused on winning championships around the world.
Toyota will release the locations of the upcoming GR Garage displays at a later date.