WATCH: “G2G su**s and should have their team ownership revoked”- Japanese NASCAR drivers’ Toyota burst into flames during North Wilkesboro Truck race
It was the Akinori Ogata’s only second NASCAR race of the 2023 season.
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Akinori Ogata car on fire at North Wilkesboro
NASCAR Cup and Truck Series teams are at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for another thrilling stock car racing weekend. The week marks the return of the Cup event to the short track for the first time since 1996. Cup series drivers will fight for the $1 Million worth of All-Star race win while the Truck garage is there for the 10th regular season race.
The track has not been repaved for the comeback, and the old pavement will make it challenging. Tire management will be a great factor as well. But Japanese NASCAR driver Akinori Ogata won’t have the luxury of racing on Saturday in the Truck event after his truck caught on fire during a practice run. His team has no backup truck and has withdrawn from the event.
The No:46 G2G Toyota caught fire during the practice lap at turn 3. The car started smoking as he entered the turn, and within seconds, the Toyota was engulfed in flames. He slammed into the wall, and the Truck stopped soon after. Ogata could exit the car without major injuries as the flames didn’t reach him, and he was treated in the infield care center.
Ogata later took it to Social media to announce that he was safe but, unfortunately, won’t race on Sunday due to not having a backup car. The 49 years old driver has been running part-time in NASCAR for over half a decade. He has driven in the Xfinity and K&N pro series as well. His NASCAR career-best finish came this season at the Atlanta Truck race with G2G, a P17.
Akinori Ogata initially had no idea his car was on fire when he slammed into the wall and suspected a tire puncture. He only came to know about the fire after he climbed out. In his social media message for fans, he revealed that the incident might have occurred due to a broken oil line.
In case you missed it: Chase Briscoe credits Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the return of North Wilkesboro and says fans will witness a good show on Sunday
Here is how fans reacted to the Akinori Ogata incident
The NASCAR community is disappointed to see Akinori Ogata’s hard work to secure sponsorship to race in the iconic track going to waste as he has no backup truck. They were furious at the G2G Toyota team for putting their drivers in bad positions with unreliable vehicles.
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Justin P Joy
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