Billionaire Michael Jordan’s Le Mans-Winning Ace Lets Slip Full Proof Plan to Make History on NASCAR Debut

Skepticism was on the rise when Trackhouse Racing unveiled its Project 91 proposition for the inaugural race in Chicago. NASCAR enthusiasts were far from convinced that the three-time V8 Supercars champion Shane Van Gisbergen would be able to carve a mark on the streets of downtown Chicago, let alone a victory. Lo-and-behold! The Kiwi not only glided on his first stint with NASCAR but also created history by scoring a victory in his debut.

This unanticipated feat seemed to have opened the floodgates of NASCAR to a global audience and also to racers belonging to various formats. Following the success of its inaugural race, NASCAR is set to embrace drivers from all across the Pacific for a second time on the tracks of Indianapolis. Apart from the Chicago victor and LeMans drivers of Garage 56, the audience is set to witness the skills of Brodie Kostecki and LeMans winner Kamui Kobayashi.

While Brodie Kostecki is a fellow driver and also a formidable opponent of SVG, fans are more hooked on the Japanese driver, who divulged the maneuvers for Sunday’s race in his recent interview. 

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s No. 67 divulges the strategies for the race at Indianapolis

Kamui Kobayashi, flaunting the victory crowns of the LeMans and WEC championships, is set to try his hands and make his debut in the world of stock car racing. Qualifying 28th and set to drive alongside his two other teammates, Tyler Reddick, the defending champion of IMS, and Bubba Wallace, Kobayashi is optimistic that he will be able to turn the tidings of the race to his favor and perhaps create history by becoming the first Japanese driver to win in his debut.

In his interview with motorsports.com, the team principal of the Toyota Gazoo Racing team spilled the beans on the team’s groundwork and intentions for churning out a favorable race.

Kobayashi revealed, “You’re driving and even you’re fighting on the straight. Be on the straight before braking because that’s quite important.” “When we’re racing in my race car on the straight it’s just you’re relaxed, but this car you’re still fighting on the straight. Obviously, it’s a new challenge for me but it’s still the racing is good with this kind of car because it’s like the drivers are fighting all the way.”

Watch this Story: Bristol Motor Speedway Owner’s Rejected Brainchild Could Have Prevented NASCAR’s 2023 Biggest Adversity

The 2xWEC champion reveals his roadmap to churn a victory in his debut

The race on the track of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the third-last race of the regular season of the Cup Series. This only asserts the fact, that the race would be anything but a cakewalk for Kamui Kobayashi, as the regular Cup Series drivers would be putting their best way forward in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, which also includes Kobayashi’s teammate Bubba Wallace.

Nevertheless, being aware of the fact, the 2x WEC champion who is set to start at 28th position on Sunday revealed, “I think you fight all of the way but you need to protect your car to be ready in the last part (of the race). It’s not only to fight is the most important, but you have to manage all of the race. Any race is the same.”

Having experience driving in a 24 hrs race, Kobayashi believes that impeccable strategies and race management are the secrets behind notching a victory. Continuing to motorsports.com, he divulged, “When you’re doing an endurance race for example, you need to manage the car. It’s not only fighting for 24 hours, it’s just you manage yourself. Once you have a good opportunity, you just maintain the gap […]

“I use my previous experience as much as I can and I believe if there’s good speed myself, you need to manage the car. I think that’s how you fight in the racing here,” the No. 67 Toyota driver asserted.

With this being said, it will be interesting to see if the stars are aligned for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s new entry in Indianapolis. Let’s see if he is able to rewrite the history of NASCAR by notching a victory on his debut.

Read More: Doubtful Shane Van Gisbergen Not Making Any Promises for the Brickyard