Kamui Kobayashi Calls Out Toyota Mere Hours Before Big Opportunity in Michael Jordan’s Team

As the curtain is set to fall on the NASCAR Cup Series regular season with a mere three races left, the Indianapolis racetrack is brimming with anticipation. The spotlight not only shines on the debut of the V8 Supercars maestro, Shane van Gisbergen but also on Kamui Kobayashi, a stalwart with victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and two World Endurance Championships under his belt. However, just when the excitement was reaching its zenith, Kamui Kobayashi threw a spanner in the works.

Merely hours before the race’s commencement, he made waves by publicly addressing the Toyota owners regarding his belated entry into the Series. This unexpected twist has left spectators and NASCAR dignitaries abuzz with speculation. The burning question remains: What bone does he have to pick with Toyota?

“And I give only 10 minutes to decide yes or not…” says Kamui Kobayashi

The seasoned racer, Kobayashi, at 36 years of age with 75 Formula 1 starts under his belt, is on the cusp of carving his name into history books. He’s gearing up to commence the NASCAR Cup race as the second Japanese driver, with Hideo Fukuyama being the first to pave the way by participating in four races between 2002 and 2003.

As the race day dawns on the iconic Indianapolis road track this Sunday, Kobayashi is slated to join the ranks of a diverse sextet of international racers, which includes luminaries like Shane van Gisbergen, Brodie Kostecki, Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button, and Daniel Suarez.

In this high-octane race, the Japanese F1 maestro will steer the #67 Toyota Camry, donning the colors of 23XI Racing. However, in a recent tête-à-tête with the media, as per forbes.com, while exuding excitement about his NASCAR foray, he didn’t mince words, pointing a finger at Toyota for previously sidelining him. Intriguingly, David Wilson, the stalwart at the helm of Toyota Racing Development overseeing NASCAR operations, championed Kobayashi’s maiden entry into the realm.

With mischief glinting in his voice, Kobayashi playfully remarked, “I’ve been asking [Isaka Kanazawa, a senior manager at Toyota] so many times [for] this opportunity. He never gives me the opportunity.” In a jovial tone, he disclosed how he incessantly prodded Isaka, asserting, “Yes, if you offer me yes, I will do it.” Elevating the banter, he jocularly threw down the gauntlet: “And I give only 10 minutes to decide yes or not, and he has to answer yes in 10 minutes.”

Though wrapped in humor, one can’t help but discern Kobayashi’s long-standing yearning for this chance, seemingly overlooked by Toyota until now. To add another feather to his cap, the air is thick with enthusiasm as 23XI Racing warmly welcomes Kobayashi into their fold for this monumental race, sentiments echoed by their very own Steve Lauletta.

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F1 talent ready to grace NASCAR’s stage

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In a move that took the racing community by storm on September 21, 2020, Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan lifted the veil on their new Cup team, poised to make its inaugural appearance in 2021. Merely a stone’s throw away from this revelation, Bubba Wallace, who had recently hung up his gloves with Richard Petty Motorsports, was unveiled as the linchpin driver of this nascent enterprise.

The roster has since flourished, enlisting talents like Tyler Reddick and Travis Pastrana. Moreover, the grand curtain-raiser of F1 luminary Kamui Kobayashi further augments the ensemble. And with the clarion call for Kobayashi’s grand entry at the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard in NASCAR, Steve Lauletta, the captain at the helm of 23XI Racing, couldn’t hold back his elation.

“Obviously, with Kamui’s motorsports lineage with his connection to Toyota, you know the fan base he has around the world, and in Japan, they will put our brand on a big stage.”

As the Indianapolis International Speedway prepares to host a medley of fresh faces, the air is thick with anticipation. All eyes will be on the asphalt, eager to witness the new talents jostling for supremacy and speculating on which star will shine brightest in the NASCAR firmament.

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