When it comes to CEOs of major automakers, few are as passionate about driving and racing as Toyota head Akio Toyoda. We have him to thank for the Scion FR-S, and we’re pretty sure that Toyota will build other sports cars in the not-too-distant future under Toyoda’s urging.
Toyoda is an accomplished racer, too, so it was hardly out of character for him to bring along a Nomex suit on a recent trip to Daytona. Kyle Busch got the honor of riding shotgun as Akio Toyoda himself ran a few hot laps around Daytona before posing with fans and guests in the paddock.
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As Autoblog points out, Toyoda was driving a prototype of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Camry, expected to debut next season if approval is granted. We give Toyoda a bow of respect for his efforts: it’s one thing for a CEO to drive new road-going models, but it’s something else entirely when the head of a company can competently shake down a race car at speed.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
