The Toyota Supra has been in development for, what seems like, an eternity. We’ve seen concept model after concept model. At the recent Geneva Motor Show we even saw a racing concept model. But there is still no word on when a production version will see the light of day.

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Jumping ahead of the production model’s eventual launch date, Toyota North America made a major announcement yesterday, that the new Toyota Supra will compete in Nascar next year.

“When you talk Toyota and cool cars, Supra is the first thing that comes to mind for many auto enthusiasts,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president of Toyota division marketing. “Supra’s return in production form is huge news, but now we’re also going to see this iconic sports car return to American motorsport.”

The new Supra will make its on-track debut in the Nascar Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2019. Up until now Toyota has fielded a Camry in the series.

Read our preview of the British F1 Grand Prix by clicking here.

No turbo six

Fans are well aware that the new Supra will share its platform and powertrain with the upcoming BMW Z4. This means that it will, in all likelihood, be powered by an inline six-cylinder turbocharged motor.

The Nascar version will feature a good ole, carb-fed naturally aspirated V8 mated with a four-speed manual transmission as dictated by the series rules. Under that sleek skin, you’ll find a series-specific tube-frame chassis.

To develop the new racer Toyota called on subsidiaries, TRD, (Toyota Racing Development) USA in Costa Mesa, California, and Calty Design Research, in Newport Beach, California. These are the same two teams that developed the 2018 Toyota Camry that clinched the 2017 Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series championship.

The Supra will join other notable racing efforts by TRD. This lineup includes: Camry and Tundra in the Nascar national series; Camry in the NHRA Funny Car competition; Camry in the ARCA Racing Series and regional touring series; 86 and Corolla Hatchback in Formula Drift. Click here to learn more about Toyota’s North American racing programme.

Catch the new Nascar Toyota Supra in action here: