Brooklyn, Mich. ? Toyota made its first official on-track appearance Monday, with Bill Elliott, Michael Waltrip and Dave Blaney all piloting Camrys in NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow test at Michigan International Speedway.

Elliott drove a Toyota for Team Red Bull, while Waltrip and Blaney shared time in a car for Michael Waltrip Racing/Bill Davis Racing. Both Camrys used truck engines, as Toyota has not yet gotten approval on its Nextel Cup engine.

“It’s exciting after three years of working with NASCAR to finally be out and be part of the big show – even if there’s not a soul in the grandstands,” said Lee White, vice president and general manager of Toyota Racing Development.

“To be part of the process of helping develop this car and contribute to the future of NASCAR is really exciting.”

Toyota is set to become the first foreign automaker to compete in NASCAR’s top series next season.

“It’s really a monumental day for our first outing,” said Team Red Bull General Manager Marty Gaunt. “Everything is new. New team. New car. It’s really big, and we’re really enthused about it and excited about it.

“I don’t think you can put everything into words. It’s like having a baby and watching it grow. It’s the first step.”

Bill Elliott pulls into Pit Row after test-driving the Team Red Bull Toyota Camry. Elliott took the car for a spin Monday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

The Car of Tomorrow, a bigger, boxier version of the current stock car, is being phased into competition beginning in 2007. Designed by NASCAR, the COT is predicted to improve safety measures and cut costs for competitors.

NASCAR will roll it out for 16 races next season, and gradually increase the total until it is used exclusively in 2009. Monday’s test was to iron out final kinks in the design and allow teams to get used to the new car.

“It doesn’t drive bad,” said Jeff Gordon, whose major complaint was with the car’s aesthetic appeal.