NASCAR is growing wings and flying across American borders. International drivers had started foraying into the motorsport a long time ago. Most recently, racer Kamui Kobayashi scripted history. He became the first Japanese driver to compete in a Cup race last year at Indianapolis in the Verizon 200 race. This year, he is returning to American soil, with a mind to win.

Kobayashi will be appearing in the Circuit of The Americas race, driving the No. 50 Toyota for 23XI. Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin could not be more thrilled to host an international racer. The main reason is that their team is getting exposure in another continent of the world. 

Kamui Kobayashi is cementing NASCAR-Japan ties

Kobayashi’s NASCAR debut took place in 2023 on the Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit. He started 28th and finished 33rd, but his race results were not top priority. The very fact that a Japanese driver was in a race on NASCAR’s home turf was stunning. His race was broadcast live in Japan with pomp and glory.

Recently, Kamui Kobayashi elaborated on how broadcasting opportunities for NASCAR racing are slowly ballooning in Japan. He said: “NASCAR is obviously, we don’t have any broadcast for example. Last year, when I did the Indy race, I think first time they broadcasted…I think the last broadcast was in 2016 or something like that. I think many people are watching NASCAR and people are, look excited, you know. I think there were quite many comments about my social media, about NASCAR stuff.”

NASCAR’s ties with Japan were initiated way back in the 1990s. The racing series conducted three exhibition races in 1996-1998, the first two at Suzuka Circuitland and the third in Motegi City. American and Japanese drivers drove side-by-side in all three races. Rusty Wallace won the first, while Mike Skinner clinched the remaining two titles.

The driver has quite a few accolades up his sleeve. Kamui Kobayashi is a two-time FIA World Endurance champion, and also the 2021 Le Mans 24 overall winner. Kobayashi also commended the sound of stock cars in NASCAR. “It’s amazing compared to any type of car, even Formula One. It sounds noisy, but it’s one of the greatest sounds. If you bring it to Japan, I think people will be impressed with the sound.”

Kobayashi recently shared his enthusiasm for his second Cup Series start in NASCAR.

Kobayashi is eager for an improved run in COTA

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Kamui Kobayashi’s last stint in NASCAR went smoothly except for a few bumpy incidents. After starting 28th in Indianapolis, he made a brief charge. But his efforts were wrecked after contact with 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Yet this time, the Japanese driver has done his homework for a revamped performance.

On Saturday, Kobayashi spoke to Motorsport. “I think Indy – it was my first time ever racing there, but next week I have more experience, so definitely looking forward to the race.” He further said, “I think the second time I can manage myself better, and I’m putting in the preparation now. I’m spent quite a lot of time in the simulator. We will see.”

Kamui Kobayashi has a glittering tail of accomplished wins as an F1 driver. We are all pumped to see how NASCAR caters to him for the second time at COTA next weekend.

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