Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Sportscars

Kobayashi: ‘Big potential’ to expand NASCAR in Japan

by Dan Lawrence
2 years ago
A A
Kobayashi: ‘Big potential’ to expand NASCAR in Japan

Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Toyota Gazoo Racing in a Press Conference. 08.07.2023. FIA World Endurance Championship, Rd 5, Six Hours Of Monza, Monza, Italy. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

World Endurance superstar Kamui Kobayashi is gearing up for his NASCAR Cup Series debut this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and he is hopeful his appearance will help boost the sport’s popularity in his native Japan.

Speaking to NBC Sports, the 24 Hours of Le Mans winner said; “I’m here to experience NASCAR, but at the same time I want to expand NASCAR in Japan.

“I think there’s a big potential.”

Kobayashi is just one of six international drivers who will be competing in NASCAR’S race at the IMS Road Course on Sunday, with Aussie Supercars stars Shane van Gisbergen (who won his Cup Series debut in Chicago and Brodie Kostecki also taking part, along with Garage 56 Le Mans stars Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller.

RelatedPosts

Open wheel cars will share the weekend with stock vehicles for the 2026 St. Petersburg event. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

NASCAR Trucks to join IndyCar for St. Petersburg race weekend

2 weeks ago
The special livery adds flashes of bright yellow to the front of the car. Image: Arrow McLaren

Arrow McLaren extends partnership with RJ Reynolds

4 months ago

Mexican Daniel Suarez completes the international contingent taking part this weekend, as NASCAR continues to make strives to boost its global reach.

A big part of NASCAR’s global push in its 75th anniversary year came at Le Mans with the aforementioned Garage 56 project.

Button, Rockenfeller and seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson competed in a modified Cup Car at the Centenary Le Mans enduro event and became a social media sensation in the process.

Kobayashi, whose Le Mans ended under the cover of darkness as a victim of a multi-car incident, witnessed the Garage 56 excitement first-hand and is looking forward to more of the same this weekend.

“NASCAR is something different because they have a big bumper and bump into each other,” he said.

He continued, telling NBC Sports that the close contact racing, “really makes excitement.”

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, whom Kobayashi will be racing for this weekend, is confident the Japanese driver will do well at Indianapolis.

“It’s going to be fun to watch him because I think he’s such a professional,” said Hamlin.

“What we’ve learned at 23XI is how in tuned he is with his craft and how good he is at what he does.

“He’s on another level for sure.”

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on the IMS Road Course commences at 14:30 Eastern Time.

Tags: IMSKobayashiNASCAR
Share198Tweet124Share

Related Posts

Sims and Garcia take crucial IMSA victory for Corvette at VIR
IMSA

Sims and Garcia take crucial IMSA victory for Corvette at VIR

1 week ago
Giacomo Altoe delivers DragonSpeed pole at VIR in IMSA qualifying
IMSA

Giacomo Altoe delivers DragonSpeed pole at VIR in IMSA qualifying

1 week ago
Costa fastest for DragonSpeed at VIR in IMSA opening practice
IMSA

Costa fastest for DragonSpeed at VIR in IMSA opening practice

2 weeks ago
Load More

Discussion about this post

Latest News

VeeKay only spent one year with DCR in the #18 entry. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

Rinus VeeKay separates from Dale Coyne Racing

September 3, 2025
Alex Dunne will make his second F1 appearance at Monza

Alex Dunne to get second F1 outing with McLaren at Italian GP

September 2, 2025
McLaren Racing has been valued at around £3.5 billion

McLaren valued at £3.5 billion after simplified ownership structure

September 2, 2025
Motorsport Week

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • 2025 F1 Calendar
    • 2025 F1 Championship Standings
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2025 FE Calendar
    • 2025 FE Championship Standings
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
    • 2025 WRC Standings
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • IMSA
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd