Toyota, currently running roughshod over other automakers in the showrooms, will be hitting NASCAR next year with the goal of doing the same thing to its competition on the track. Word around the pits is that this is causing sleepless nights for other teams, but not for reasons one would think

Either Dodge is prepping to officially announce production of the Challenger concept, or the brand's feeling dissed for not receiving 300 e-mails daily like rival Chevrolet for its Camaro concept. Whatever the reason, the retro-muscle car rumbled largely unannounced into SoCal last week, sending enthusiasts into a frenzy

Team Lexus has been working feverishly to develop the new IS 350 racecar for the ALMS GT2 class, and it looks like they're getting closer to the start line. According to Lexus motorsports manager Philip Gaviola, the team expects to begin testing the new car in the next few weeks, ahead of a race debut in July. That means we can likely expect the Lexus to appear either at the Grand Prix of Utah in mid-July, or at the Grand Prix of Portland at the end of the month

To say that Chrysler Imperial concept's debut at this year's Detroit Auto Show caused a mixed reaction among attendees and readers would be an understatement. Thus, we followed Matt Nauman's test drive of the concept with keen interest, to see if it might sway our staff's opinion one way or the other. Unfortunately, the Imperial concept was barely functional. Its transmission dictated that the test drive be a limited jaunt at 15 to 20 mph

Jim Press, the new president of Toyota Motor Corp. North American, foresees a bright future for the U.S. auto industry. While speaking at the women's business group Inforum in Detroit last week, he pointed out that: The Baby Boom generation that continues to purchase new vehicles won't reach its peak until 2009. Generation Xers are buying larger vehicles to accommodate their new families. Generation Y members are now reaching driving age. The number of immigrants in the U.S

According to regulars at the Nurburgring in Germany, a lightened Porsche Cayman with a rollbar and race-style seats with harnesses has been seen doing laps on the famous 14-mile course. This has led some to speculate about a new ultralight model of the Cayman that could be badged as an "RS" or "Clubsport." The Cayman has proved its mettle with critics, but its inevitable problem is that it's too good for its own good

Forget fleeces, backpacks and skiwear -- Fiat wants its name on the ultimate fashion accessory, the moblie phone. Starting this month, Fiat will offer a number of different cell phone models, including some that are MP3 compatible and take digital photos and video. Some of the phones are even 'waterproof' -- perfect for those who can't bear to catch a wave or two without phone access

The excellent action photographers over at Killboy.com have caught a couple of BMW X5 mules wearing next gen skin tackling The Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina. Looks like we'll see new headlight and taillamp shapes along with revised bumpers – probably subtle tweaks along the links of what the X3 received

A busy racing weekend, particularly for open-wheel fans! North American TV broadcast times and channels from tvracer.com, all times shown as Eastern. American Le Mans Series: Lone Star Grand Prix, Houston A rare visit to a street circuit for the ALMS is proving tough for Champion Racing's venerable Audi R8, which only managed a fourth-place grid spot in qualifying, behind pole-sitter James Weaver's Lola (right), and the two LMP2 Porsche RS Spyders of Penske Racing

General Motors announced yesterday that the Hummer H1 will be discontinued sometime next month. About 12,000 have been sold to the public since the civilian version first went on sale in 1992. Back then the Hummer was sold by AM General, the original developer and producer of the military version called the Humvee