AVONDALE, Ariz. – Toyota officially clinched the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer’s championship following Denny Hamlin’s victory on Sunday at ISM Raceway.
The victory was Toyota’s 18th this season in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition, a single-season win record for Toyota. Toyota has now won three of the last four manufacturer’s titles.
“This title would not be possible without the talented drivers, dedicated race teams and support of our team members at Toyota and Toyota Racing Development (TRD, U.S.A),” said Vinay Shahani, vice president of Integrated Marketing Operations for Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “Eighteen victories is an incredible feat to accomplish in one of the most competitive motorsports series in America. The manufacturer’s championship is something incredibly meaningful to everyone at Toyota and TRD, we’re certainly honored to capture our third in the series.”
Camry drivers combined to win 18 races and have led 3,974 laps in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition this season. With one race remaining, three Toyota drivers, Martin Truex Jr., Hamlin and Kyle Busch, will be a part of the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Toyota’s season was led by a series-leading seven victories by Truex. Hamlin collected Toyota’s second Daytona 500 title in February en route to his six wins this year while Busch (four victories) and Erik Jones (one) also took home the checkered flag this year.
Since joining Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2007, Toyota has won 142 races and captured 124 poles in 467 races. Toyota also claimed manufacturer championships in 2016 (16 wins) and 2017 (16 wins).