Toyota won't be competing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series until 2007, but fans will not have to wait until then to see a Toyota leading the field of 43 stock cars in a NASCAR race.

Beginning this season, Toyota will serve as the "Official Vehicle, Car and Truck" of Lowe's Motor Speedway as part of an exclusive, multi-year agreement that was announced today by Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) and Lowe's Motor Speedway.

The sponsorship calls for the California-based automobile manufacturer and its Florida-based Southeast distributor to partner with Lowe's Motor Speedway in all major events at the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway, including NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series races, as well as all events at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"We're delighted to begin a new relationship with Lowe's Motor Speedway and partner with one of the most storied race tracks in the country," said David Vincent, SET vice president.  "This sponsorship demonstrates Toyota's strong commitment to NASCAR racing and its loyal fans. SET and our dealers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina plan to take full advantage of this new relationship with Lowe's Motor Speedway not only during race weekends and throughout the year to make the track a year-round destination for our special events and activities."

"Toyota has a long and storied motorsports history and we are proud of our new relationship with Toyota Motor Sales and Southeast Toyota Distributors," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Toyota is a first-class organization with big plans for its future in NASCAR racing and it is an honor that Lowe's Motor Speedway and our events are part of that plan.  This relationship will not only benefit Toyota and Lowe's Motor Speedway, but also our fans and customers."

The agreement provides Toyota with the ability to use the track for annual "ride-and-drive" events, new product launches, owner's events and other activities throughout the year.  In addition, Toyota vehicles will be used as the "official" pace vehicle for all speedway events, including the May 20 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge and the May 28 Coca-Cola 600.

Additional benefits include extensive signage, race tickets and hospitality, and prominent advertising space allocated in the track's publications.