The relationship between American and Japanese motorsports is only growing. Jimmie Johnson is part of the effort, too. A NASCAR contingency is in Japan right now for an upcoming exhibition race in the Super Taikyu Series.

Super Taikyu is a series much like IMSA in the United States. It features multiple classes of pro-am endurance racing. GT3, GT4, and other classes already exist in the series. However, a new class is coming soon called ST-USA.

Jimmie Johnson and John Hunter Nemechek are representing Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR at Fuji Speedway for the next few days. Johnson is piloting the famous NASCAR Garage 56 Chevy Camaro that raced at Le Mans in 2023. Nemechek is driving his No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE at Fuji.

As part of the NASCAR group at the event, Kamui Kobayashi will represent 23XI Racing in the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE. Kobayashi has raced twice in the Cup Series and is one of the most renowned endurance racers from Japan. Along with those drivers, ARCA Menards Series regular Takuma Koga will pilot a car from Fast Track Racing.

Fast Track is also fielding two cars for Toyota GAZOO Racing drivers, Oyu Toshiki and Kotaka Kazuto. The two drivers have competed in series such as Super GT and Super Formula. A great opportunity for these drivers to compete with someone like Jimmie Johnson.

All of this is part of announcing the new ST-USA class to the Super Taikyu Series. The class will feature the Corvette C7 GT3-R and the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R. A little American muscle for the Japanese race fans.

Jimmie Johnson helping grow NASCAR ties to Japan

The relationship between NASCAR and Toyota was always going to lead to stronger ties between the sport and Japan. When you look at the grassroots development programs in dirt and stock car racing, it’s held up by Toyota’s presence. They are developing drivers, ultimately, for other manufacturers.

Looking at the future of motorsports, there is a desire to find the next thing after combustion. It might not be next year or five years or even 10 years from now. But Toyota has developed a hydrogen-powered concept car, the GR Corolla H2. With hydrogen, you keep the sound and feel of a combustion engine, but with a cleaner fuel source.

As far as racing technologies go, Japan will remain important. NASCAR is doing a great job of keeping that relationship open. Of course, NASCAR has visited Japan in the past, so the history of the relationship is there, even prior to Toyota’s involvement in the sport.

Jimmie Johnson is helping grow that relationship, not just for Toyota but Chevrolet as well. He’s such a great ambassador for the sport. Could we see a NASCAR exhibition race in Japan in the near future? Who knows, but the motorsports fans there would flock to it. It would be a must-see event in the country and could help grow NASCAR’s international identity.