The TD2 program by the manufacturer has seen the emergence of notable talents, including Christopher Bell, a NASCAR Cup driver who has consistently reached the Championship 4 for the past two seasons, and John Hunter Nemechek, an Xfinity driver set to join Bell in Cup competition with Legacy Motor Club.
Trent Rodriguez, Manager of Driver Development at TRD, expressed pride in the TD2 program, emphasizing TRD’s commitment to nurturing young drivers’ aspirations in motorsports.
Rodriguez highlighted the diverse and highly skilled lineup for the upcoming season, anticipating numerous race wins and championship victories across various racing series.
The TD2 program not only offers on-track opportunities but also focuses on the personal development of participants, providing access to the acclaimed Toyota Performance Center (TPC). This season’s roster comprises talented drivers spanning three motorsport disciplines, including stock cars, grassroots dirt racing, and sports cars.
In stock car racing, drivers like Chandler Smith, Corey Heim, Taylor Gray, William Sawalich, Gio Ruggiero, Isabella Robusto, Brent Crews, and Buddy Kofoid are set to make significant strides.
Smith and Heim will compete in Xfinity and Trucks, respectively, while Gray and Sawalich aim for success in their respective series. Ruggiero and Robusto will participate in various racing events, recovering from setbacks and aiming for strong performances. Crews, a young champion, will continue to showcase his talent in multiple racing formats.
In grassroots dirt racing, talents like Buddy Kofoid, Jade Avedisian, and Ryan Timms are poised for success. Kofoid and Avedisian, both accomplished in dirt midget racing, will pursue victories in their respective competitions. Timms, after a promising previous season, looks to build on his success in the USAC National Midget competition.
For sports car enthusiasts, John Geesbreght, Tyler Gonzalez, and Westin Workman are named to watch. Geesbreght, with a victory under his belt, will compete in IMSA and SRO events, while Gonzalez, the inaugural Toyota GR Cup Series champion, will co-drive with Geesbreght in the SRO series. Workman joins Copeland Motorsports for a full Toyota GR Cup Series campaign in 2024.
With a talented pool of drivers across various disciplines, the manufacturer’s TD2 program continues to foster emerging talent and uphold a tradition of excellence in motorsports.