The definition of a hybrid vehicle is that it uses fuel and electricity to power the car. However, in the ARCA Menards Series, that definition was given a whole new meaning. Earlier during the ARCA Series West race at Sonoma, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sam Mayer won the race ahead of Central Coast Racing’s Tyler Reif.

However, Mayer’s win was not the big story, but eagle-eyed viewers noted that Reif drove a very confused car. On the face of it, he was piloting a Ford Mustang, but the car had a Toyota sticker plastered on it. As far as we’re aware, Toyota don’t manufacturer Mustangs, unless Toyota and Ford mated and birthed this unholy machine. Of course, that is highly unlikely, and the car is just a Ford which happened to have a Toyota sticker.

How did Sam Mayer win the ARCA race at Sonoma?

What made this victory even sweeter was that this was Mayer’s first ARCA appearance since 2021. All this was just to gain some experience before he was back out on track, this time in an Xfinity car. Initially, Mayer looked to be in total control, until Trevor Huddleston spun just before the white flag. Naturally, the ensuing restart bunched the field and brought Reif right next to him.

Nevertheless, Sam Mayer stood firm and soaked up the pressure from the younger driver. Mayer nailed the restart and controlled the pace on the final lap to secure the trophy. When he spoke later, he confessed that his biggest concern was fuel, and he spent much of the final stage fuel-saving. Fortunately, he had plenty of practice, especially since he experienced such a scenario in the Xfinity Arena.

NASCAR fans had a field day poking fun at Toyota and Ford

Once people saw the bizarre car, many tried to christen the Ford-Toyota love child. Some options were, “The Foryota Catang” and “Fordota Camstang”. Another NASCAR fan noted, “Some people shouldn’t be allowed to design cars. lol”. Many saw the funny side of the matter and for them, this was the highlight, “This was the best part of that race. I laughed every time I saw the Toyota logo just slapped on the front of it. They didn’t even bother trying to cover up the mustang logo”.

However, the more important questions arose among the merriment. One fan asked, “Who gets the manufacturer points?”, and the answer would probably be Ford, because it was a Ford car at the end of the day. Others could just picture the reactions of the Ford and Toyota executives watching the race. As one person eloquently put it, “Well if I was the racing director of either manufactor, I’d be on the phone asking all kinds of what the actual hell’s I could”. All in all, the NASCAR race was entertaining and people got a good laugh at the scene.