Michael Jordan’s $150 Million NASCAR Team’s Newest Recruit Opens Up About the Massive Opportunity at IMS

NASCAR has been known to give opportunities to many drivers from other sports. Even professionals from various fields have considered NASCAR a chance at a new experience. The latest name to join the club is a popular one in the world of racing, Kamui Kobayashi. A household name for avid motorsports followers, Kobayashi is someone who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021. Having mastered the art of enduring long races, his new venture will be in the competitive field of the Cup Series.

Tuning into NASCAR’s grueling and grinding races will be great to watch with Kobayashi on the grid. To give the fans something to cheer for, Kobayashi talks about his upcoming first experience at the Brickyard and what sets NASCAR apart from others.

Kobayashi Looks Forward to Competing in NASCAR, Calls It ‘The American Dream’

23XI Racing is the team that has availed Kobayashi’s services. Bringing his years of experience to the division, his appearance is much-waited for them. The Amagasaki native spoke to Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s team, expressing his joy over the debut. He also compared NASCAR to other forms of racing across the world.

“NASCAR is something different in the culture of motorsports compared to Japan and Europe – as a driver, it’s the American dream. I was lucky to be able to race in IMSA the last couple of years.”

Kobayashi will be seen driving the #67 Camry on his debut on August 13. He continues his fealty to Toyota, after being their premier driver in the World Endurance Championship. To add to his resume, he also acts as the team principal for Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Expressing his pleasure around the fact that he will be the second Japanese driver in NASCAR Cup, he added, “(NASCAR) is a different form of racing, but I think the racing technology is at a high level. I really appreciate this opportunity from TRD, U.S.A. and, of course, Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Gazoo Racing. Toyota has been racing in NASCAR for a long time, but I don’t think any other Japanese driver has raced a Toyota in the Cup Series. I’m very proud of this opportunity.”

After all this build-up to his debut, all eyes will be on Kobayashi at the Verizon 200, surely.

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A Timeline of Kamui Kobayashi’s Career

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Kobayashi’s outing with Michael Jordan’s $150 Million NASCAR Team will make him the latest driver to join the list of former F1 drivers writing for NASCAR. After the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, and Daniil Kvyat, he is the new entrance to the star-studded list. Apart from WEC, Kobayashi is a driver in the Super Formula championship for KC Motor Group. His vast and diverse career also included stints in Formula E and GP2 Series.

This past weekend he teamed up with former IndyCar winner Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez for Le Mans and drove the #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid. Although he has 75 starts in F1 to his name, the maximum success he has found has been in sports cars instead. Having represented Toyota, Sauber and Caterham in his five years, his best finish was a third place in 2012 in the qualifying session in his homeland’s Grand Prix.

Kobayashi also is a successive championship winner in the WEC winning it twice from 2019-21. Since his entry into the field in 2013, he has been one of the most well-known names from that grid. The 36-year-old will not be all IMS has to offer in August. Former F1 champion Button has also revealed that he will be driving in the #15 Mustang for Rick Ware Racing at the venue.

With so many global stars on the stage, Indianapolis looks like it will be a treat to watch for fans.

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