Kamui Kobayashi urges NASCAR to come to Japan as he is set to make second NASCAR debut with 23XI Racing

The 2021 Le Mans winner and former F1 driver will be making a comeback in NASCAR next weekend at COTA.

Kamui Kobayashi urges NASCAR to come to Japan as he is set to make second NASCAR debut with 23XI Racing

Kamui Kobayashi (Via IMAGO)

Kamui Kobayashi is a former F1 driver from Japan and is a well-reputed motorsport figure worldwide. Moreover, the Japanese driver will be making a comeback in the premier stock car racing scene next week at COTA. With his return, Kobayashi has impulse NASCAR to expand its prospect beyond American borders.

Kamui Kobayashi will make his second NASCAR debut next week at COTA for 23XI Racing. Moreover, the scope of NASCAR has expanded around the world and is gaining popularity among new fans. Also, the series itself has a Japanese manufacturer and it could help open new doors for NASCAR in Japan itself. With this, the Japanese driver has urged NASCAR to hold races in Japan like in the late 1990s.

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When you are watching them race that close to the wall, it’s something that is hard to believe. I’m impressed. When you look at older Sports Cars, it’s hard to define the noise. If you bring it to Japan, I think people will be impressed with the sound. There’s a big opportunity to bring NASCAR to Japan. I think many people are looking forward to watching the Cup car.
Kamui Kobayshi said in an interview with sportsnaut.

Kobayashi explained that NASCAR’s format of racing is extremely aggressive with constant bumper-to-bumper action around the clock. Subsequently, this will raise interest among Japanese fans regarding the stock racing series and garner popularity in the sub-continent. Apart from this, NASCAR executives and drivers have previously expressed interest in expanding the sport’s perspective and it seems to be closer than ever that such expansion could take place.

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Kamui Kobayashi explains how NASCAR is more appealing than other forms of motorsports

Kobayashi is set to make his second NASCAR debut in the Cup Series with 23XI racing next weekend. With the plethora of experience that the Japanese driver has owing to his racing CV expanding into various divisions of motorsport. The 37-year-old is able to understand the intricies related to every form of sport and has presented his views on which motorsport is easier to grasp for a fan.

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(Credits: @23Xiracing/ Twitter)
It’s difficult to understand as a fan, but when you look at NASCAR, it is simpler.I know there is technology behind this too but I think as a motorsport the fans can understand what is making a difference at the end of the day. It makes a huge difference. I think there is more connectivity from the fans to the drivers.
Kamui Kobayashi said in an interview with sportsnaut

The ‘Kamikaze’ explained that NASCAR is simpler in terms of understanding how the sport works, instead of the highly technical sports like F1 and other forms. Moreover, NASCAR has high growth potential due to its simpler format, which could aid in expanding its fan base beyond America.

Despite this, NASCAR currently only operates in the U.S.A. and has not held any points-paying races beyond the American borders. However, this seems highly likely to change in the near future.

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