Toyota will stand by Waltrip
Toyota have given Michael Waltrip a vote of confidence following his team's rules transgression ahead of the Daytona 500 that led to the biggest monetary fine in the series' history
Reacting to the news that Waltrip's crew chief has been fined $100,000, as well as his car being deducted 100 driver and team owner points, Toyota's racing division president Jim Aust says there will be no knee-jerk termination of contracts.
"Certainly we're looking forward to a long-term relationship with Michael," said Aust.
"He's a great guy and it's unfortunate that this has happened to his team, it's disappointing to him and it's disappointing to Toyota. We will continue our relationship with Michael.
"It's certainly an embarrassment to the organization. This is not the way you want to enter the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series by any means, but the circumstances are what they are."
When asked what Waltrip has to do to regain Toyota's trust, Aust replied: "That's a good question. Of course this is nothing we would have expected from Michael. We've always felt that Michael has the highest regard for NASCAR.
"We'll continue to work with his organization in hopes that they find a resolution to the problem. I think they'll be stronger because of it."
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