Kamui Kobayashi, aged 37, made history as the first Japanese driver to compete in a Cup race in two decades during his debut at the Indianapolis Road Course last year.
Starting from the 28th position, he finished 33rd after encountering a few incidents during the race. Kobayashi expressed that racing in NASCAR had been a lifelong aspiration for him, predating even his ambitions in Formula 1.
In Formula 1, he participated in 75 races between 2009 and 2014, achieving a podium finish in the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. However, he found his niche in sports car racing, clinching two FIA World Endurance Championships and securing an overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2021.
Presently, he serves as the team principal for the Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC team and boasts two overall victories at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
For the upcoming race at COTA, Kobayashi will pilot the No. 50 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, marking the team’s third entry alongside full-time drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. Reddick, the defending winner of the event, will provide strong support to Kobayashi.
Reflecting on his NASCAR debut in 2023, Kobayashi expressed his desire to introduce NASCAR to a broader audience in Japan, emphasizing the thrilling V8 engine sounds and the captivating nature of NASCAR racing.
Despite encountering challenges, including a couple of spins during his debut race, he described the experience as “a dream come true.”
Despite the setbacks, he acknowledged the valuable learning experience gained from completing 77 caution-free laps and commended the competitive nature of NASCAR racing, expressing gratitude for the support received from Toyota and Toyota Gazoo Racing North America.
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