In 2025, NASCAR smashed international barriers. The Cup Series raced in Mexico City, marking the first international points-paying event in the sport’s modern era. From Daniel Suarez delivering a spectacular win to his home country to Shane van Gisbergen beginning a fiery road course streak, the Mexican weekend was spectacular. As it turns out, that was hardly the only cross-border phenomenon in NASCAR’s 2025 roster.

NASCAR and Japanese motorsports have intersected before as well. This time, it was a star-studded affair featuring none other than 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, along with Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda. The Legacy Motor Club team owner not only displayed his racecraft but also his courteous attitude.

Jimmie Johnson presents liquid luck

U.S. drivers are set to participate in the Super Taikyu Series for a landmark exhibition event at Fuji Speedway. John Hunter Nemechek, LMC’s Cup Series driver, is one of them. And his team owner, Jimmie Johnson, already made a grand gesture to hype up the event, as journalist Adam Stern updated on X. He wrote, “@JimmieJohnson gave @Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda a bottle of bourbon and a signed Legacy MC helmet as part of the NASCAR industry’s trip to Japan this week to participate in the Super Taikyu Series event.”

According to Jimmie Johnson, the bottle of Frank August Kentucky bourbon gifted to Toyoda is “very delicious.” That was not all, as Toyoda, who is also Chairman of the Super Taikyu Mirai Organization, received gifts from other NASCAR dignitaries. Hendrick Motorsports presented him with gifts, including a Camaro ZL1 miniature car, as a token of appreciation for the invitation. Then, ‘Morizo’ also received a special NASCAR steering wheel from 23XI Racing. In return, the motorsports icon handed out stickers to everyone, marking a smiling exchange between Japan and the US at the 7th round of the Super Taikyu series at Fuji.

The excitement was prevalent in NASCAR ahead of this cross-cultural event. Jimmie Johnson’s team, LMC, posted some eye-catching pictures on X. The caption read, “Racing somewhere different this week📍Fuji Speedway.” Then, 23XI also posted, hailing Kamui Kobayashi, who previously ran two NASCAR races in 2023 (Indianapolis Road Course) and 2024 (Circuit of the Americas). “No better way to spend the offseason than with @ToyotaRacing and our friend @kamuikobayashi at Fuji Speedway! 🫡”

The event, on the foothills of Mount Fuji, will feature a demonstration run of six NASCAR stock cars and the debut of the new ‘ST-USA’ class in the Super Taikyu Series. The entries include Jimmie Johnson in the 2023 Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Toyota GAZOO Racing driver Kamui Kobayashi in 23XI Racing’s No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE, and also Oyu Toshiki and Kotaka Kazuto in Fast Track Racing’s cars.

Evidently, the upcoming event is sure to thrill fans to the core. Besides the medley of personalities, the event also features a snazzy innovation.

A step towards the future

Toyota Motor Corporation advanced two hydrogen engine technologies at the Super Taikyu event. The race will feature the #32 TGRR GR Corolla H2 concept, which runs on liquid hydrogen fuel. This marks the latest milestone in Toyota’s constant work in superconductivity technology development to further evolve liquid hydrogen technology. It has now reached the stage where vehicles equipped with superconducting motors for liquid hydrogen pumps can operate.

Notably, the GR Corolla achieved significant progress during the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2025 Round 3 NAPAC Fuji 24 Hours Race, held from May 30 to June 1. The key factors behind the record-breaking run were the pump and tank introduced in last year’s race, which finally showed their full effect. The liquid hydrogen engine Corolla notched up 468 laps. “I’ve finally been able to race; that’s the kind of year it’s been. I think we’ve made progress again,” Akio Toyoda said.

Project General Manager Naoaki Ito, who oversees the hydrogen engine project, also commented. “Last year, we faced numerous challenges and were unable to thoroughly assess the capabilities of the pump and elliptical tank. This time, the drivers were able to maintain racing speeds throughout the 24 hours, pushing the car and the hydrogen system to extremes. With this, our development takes a leap forward.”

Clearly, the US-Japan congregation at the Super Taikyu Series event will be memorable indeed. In the presence of Jimmie Johnson, Akio Toyoda, and other dignitaries, we cannot wait for the thrill!