One of the higher profile spectators in attendance this weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park is Jerry Toliver. He can’t say whether or not he’ll race next year but there is a likely possibility.

“We’re really close to having a deal to go back racing,” Toliver said. “I don’t want to say anything for certain until everything is signed on the dotted line – but we’re awful close. “Do I want to come back? Absolutely. Are we going to come back – most likely.”

Toliver has spent a good deal of time this weekend in the Kalitta Motorsports pit area. He declined to elaborate on the details of any potential deal but did add he will have an association with Kalitta Motorsports because of their Toyota involvement.

One of the higher profile spectators in attendance this weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park is Jerry Toliver. He can’t say whether or not he’ll race next year but there is a likely possibility.

“We’re really close to having a deal to go back racing,” Toliver said. “I don’t want to say anything for certain until everything is signed on the dotted line – but we’re awful close. “Do I want to come back? Absolutely. Are we going to come back – most likely.”

Toliver has spent a good deal of time this weekend in the Kalitta Motorsports pit area. He declined to elaborate on the details of any potential deal but did add he will have an association with Kalitta Motorsports because of their Toyota involvement.

“We will work with them – sure,” Toliver said. “They are a Toyota team. When I come back it will be with a Toyota and we will work together on a team basis.”

Toliver has gotten over the sting of losing out on the Monster Energy drinks sponsorship in the 11th hour to Kenny Bernstein.

“We were really close,” Toliver added. “I thought we had the deal. Unfortunately it didn’t go our way, but Bernstein got it and he’s a great ambassador. He’ll do them a great job.

“You work long and hard on deals and when you finally think you have something… [pause]. It was a good money deal and a multi-year deal. It went as far as the contract phase and then we found out about the Bernstein deal. That’s the way it goes but it is disappointing.”

What Toliver finds most encouraging is the gains made with the Toyota Solara body through the efforts of Toyota Research & Development and his partner Alan Johnson.

”We just got back from the wind-tunnel and we had some great results,” Toliver said. “Toyota has been a great partner with us and hopefully we can bring in some sponsorship dollars. We have the tools, people and some associate sponsorship, all we need is the primary.”

“It has more downforce and less drag which makes it a really good body. We are pleased with what we have thus far and there is still more development work to do.”

Toliver’s personal opinion is the body is just as good if not better than the present fraternity of Monte Carlos and Chargers.

“We think we have a little more down force on the front and the rear. It has less drag. More downforce and less drag makes for a good car.”

Toliver said that the NHRA has been supportive of Toyota’s involvement in Funny Car. That was ground initially broken by Johnson in 2002.

“The NHRA wants more manufacturers in here,” Toliver said. “GM has pulled back its sponsorship reins and their support of teams so it’s good for everyone. If we can get them out here in a big way it will be good for everyone.

“They have their rules and regulations…and I will tell you building a body is no easy thing to make it as good as you can get it and stay within the parameters of the rules.”

That’s the part where Toliver heaped praise on John Force for his efforts in developing the Ford program in the class.

“I have to tip my hat to John. John was the first to break that ground with the Mustang. We saw the advantages that he gained there. In today’s Funny car racing, you had better grab every advantage you can to make it better.”

It all comes down to sponsorship for him. He has no timetable for an announcement. He merely says, “We are close.”

Toliver did say that such an announcement would more than likely come during the off-season or possibly during pre-season testing.