NASCAR is without competition in the United States in terms of popularity. Globally, that spot is taken by Formula 1. Being an American based motorsport founded in the southeast of the country, the sport has made a name for itself by being one of the most patriotic sports in the entire country.
One of the things a sizable portion of the fanbase has a focus on the “American” part, especially about the cars. They have an unhealthy obsession with NASCAR being an “American Sport,” which it was never meant to be.
Despite what that portion of the fans think, NASCAR has a long storied history of foreign brands racing on their circuits. Though at the time, no automaker was fully invested into the sport like you see today. Since the 1970s those self funded and operated cars had pretty much been gone from the sport.
In 2004, Toyota introduced itself into NASCAR competition with four different teams into the Craftsman Truck Series. At Michigan International Speedway that season, they established themselves as contenders by winning that race.
NASCAR fans across the country were up in arms against a foreign manufacturer in “their ‘Murican sport.” That sentiment hasn’t fully left fans opinions over the last 20 years now. But just how true is that today? Just how “American” are the road cars and trucks that these race cars represent?
What does it mean to be the Most American?
We look to Cars.com and their American Made Index. “Our study ranks 100 vehicles judged through the same five criteria as it’s been since the 2020 edition: assembly location, parts content, engine origin, transmission origin and U.S. manufacturing workforce. More than 400 vehicles of model-year 2024 vintage were analyzed to qualify the 100 vehicles on the list.”
Craftsman Truck Series
Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
The Toyota Tundra is the 20th most American vehicle on sale in the United States.
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 sits as the 58th most American made vehicle on sale in the US.
Chevrolet Silverado RST
The Chevrolet Silverado is the 89th most American made vehicle in the US.
Xfinity Series
Toyota GR Supra
The Toyota GR Supra is not ranked within the top 100 most American made vehicles in the United States, nor is its twin, the BMW Z4. Therefor… Not ranked here either.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
The Ford Mustang is the 31st vehicle on the American made list on sale in the US.
Chevrolet Camaro SS
N/A – Not in Production
Cup Series
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
N/A – Not in Production
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
The Ford Mustang is the 31st vehicle on the American made list on sale in the US.
Toyota Camry XSE
The Toyota Camry is the 7th vehicle on the American made list on sale in the US. It is also the most American vehicle used in NASCAR.
Header Image: Cody Wansley/Seriously Fast Media
