“I Want to Be Here”: 50 YO Japanese Racing Sensation Pens Heartfelt Message to NASCAR

NASCAR has been a gateway for opportunities for decades. However, in its 75th anniversary year, NASCAR saw a spurt in foreign racers qualifying for and competing in NASCAR’s top tier. Shane van Gisbergen’s historic debut at the inaugural Chicago Street race could not have come at a better time. Among the debutants this year were former F1 champion Jenson Button and  FIA World Endurance Championship driver Kamui Kobayashi, who made a name for himself at the Indianapolis Road Course.

However, Kobayashi is not the first Japanese sensation to make his foray in NASCAR. The propagator of the movement was none other than part-time Xfinity Series driver, Akinori Ogata. Ogata celebrated his 20th anniversary of competing in stock-car racing events in the country in October. But there is one milestone that he has set his eyes on. Ogata revealed his American dream on Twitter recently.

Akinori Ogata aims to achieve an exclusive milestone

Ogata currently drives the #46 Tundra Truck for G2G Racing in a part-time role. His major starts have been based in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With former experience in the K&N Pro Series East and Xfinity Series, he has been a great addition to the team. In October, Xfinity team Emerling-Gase Motorsports announced that it would field Ogata at Martinsville.

To celebrate his 20th year in NASCAR, the team proposed a special paint scheme for the #53 Shinano Pneumatic Tool Chevrolet Camaro. Ogata reciprocated by aligning his wishes with the team’s and finished a second race with Emerling-Gase after a P29 finish in Atlanta. However, the one milestone he desperately wants to reach is to be present at NASCAR’s 100th anniversary.

NASCAR celebrated its 75th anniversary earlier this year and announced a celebrated list of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers. Revealing his heart’s desire, Akinori Ogata tweeted,

“Me and my wife have talked about my future when @NASCAR 50th anni. in 1998, we were in Japan. My wife told me that you will be in the US when NASCAR gets the 100th.I am honored to have racing in #NASCAR75 today, I may not be driving a race car, but I want to be here after 25 years.”

That would certainly be an exclusive club to join for Ogata. Ogata has not just opened up a world of opportunities for Japanese drivers in NASCAR, the 50-year-old has also withstood the test of time and stands proud with incredible longevity.

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Ogata’s story as a journeyman in NASCAR

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Akinori Ogata debuted NASCAR in the 2003 Whelen All-American Late Model Stock series. He continued to race at Concord Motorsports Park until his big breakthrough arrived in 2009 when ENEOS struck a deal with him to sponsor him in the All-American Series. Ogata was the first driver to receive ENEOS’ sponsorship in the sport.

2012 brought his debut in the K&N Pro Series East. Driving the Jennifer McDonald’s #49 Dodge, he finished 15th and represented McDonald thrice again in the year. Following Dodge’s exit from NASCAR, McDonald shifted to Toyota for the remainder of the races in the season. In 2013, he became a driver-owner and raced in the #56 Toyota at the Iowa Speedway.

Ogata moved to the Truck Series in 2014 with Win-Tron Racing announcing his debut. In a debut race on the asphalt of Phoenix in the No.35 Tundra, he finished 29th after a gear failure. Ogata shifted to MB Motorsports the following year, ran three races, and had his first top-20 finish in the competition.

2020 marked his return to Truck for Reaume Brothers Racing in Texas. Ogata stayed with the tram for the whole of 2021 and, in 2022, returned to the team to race in the #43 truck at Darlington. It has been an eventful and resemblant to a vagabond career for Ogata. As he continues to grace the track with his presence, the community wishes him to achieve his dream of being present at NASCAR’s 100th anniversary.

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