NASCAR is set for a notable return to Japan this month, with Jimmie Johnson headlining a demonstration at Fuji Speedway for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Japan demo will showcase American stock car racing as part of the final round of the 2025 Super Taikyu Series, bringing together renowned drivers from both the U.S. and Japan.
NASCAR Returns for a Special Demonstration at Fuji Speedway
For the first time since 1998, NASCAR stock cars will take to a Japanese circuit, offering motorsport fans the rare chance to see these machines outside the United States. The original push for NASCAR exhibitions in Asia included appearances at Suzuka Circuit in 1996 and 1997, before the last outing at Twin Ring Motegi’s Coca-Cola 500. Unlike the earlier events, this year’s demonstration aligns with an effort to deepen international engagement and give Japanese fans a direct experience of American racing culture and technology.
NASCAR Insider Steven Taranto highlighted the excitement around the event:
“There will be a NASCAR demonstration run at Fuji Speedway during the final round of the Super Taikyu Series, with Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi, John Hunter Nemechek and more showcasing NASCAR stock cars… will also be on display at Fuji Speedway throughout the weekend to give Japanese race fans an intimate look at the cars from the top form of racing in the U.S.”
— Steven Taranto, NASCAR Insider
Among the stars participating, Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 24 Garage 56 Chevrolet, the same vehicle he used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Joining him is John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota Camry, and Kamui Kobayashi, who will pilot the No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota, the car he used for his Cup Series debut. Additional demonstration drivers include Takuma Koga with Fast Track Racing’s No. 12 Toyota Camry, and Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kazuto Kotaka and Toshiki Oyu, both set to drive ARCA-spec stock cars.
Integrating NASCAR with Japan’s Super Taikyu Series Finale
This year, the NASCAR demo run joins the Super Taikyu Series, Japan’s top endurance racing championship, during its season-ending Fuji 4 Hours event. The seven-round Super Taikyu Series offers a blend of long-distance racing formats, and the inclusion of NASCAR’s American-style stock cars brings a new element to the renowned finale. Japanese race fans and international enthusiasts alike will get a closer look at the technology and spectacle driving NASCAR’s popularity.
On the race weekend, an official announcement from Fuji Speedway was shared via their social media platforms:
“On the 16th (Sun), the final day, a thrilling demo run will be showcased by top drivers from Japan and the U.S., including Jimmie Johnson… and Kamui Kobayashi, among others. Furthermore, NASCAR machines will be on display in the event area throughout Saturday and Sunday, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of American motorsports up close.”
— Fuji Speedway, Official X Account
Complementing the showcase, Fuji Speedway will also introduce a new trial class called ST-USA, featuring two American GT machines, designed to further the exchange between U.S. and Japanese motorsport. While there has yet to be a formal NASCAR press release, confirmation from the host circuit strongly indicates that this marks the organization’s most significant engagement in the region since the late 1990s.
Connecting Motorsports Cultures Across Continents
The exhibition at Fuji Speedway is more than just a showcase of racing hardware; it represents a deliberate move to connect American motorsport tradition with Japanese endurance racing. By bringing together celebrated names like Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi, and John Hunter Nemechek, the event highlights the global appeal and growing exchange between NASCAR and the Japanese racing community. Involving organizations such as Fast Track Racing and Toyota Gazoo Racing further cements this transpacific collaboration.
For fans and participants, this demo run serves as a unique opportunity to witness iconic stock cars up close, interact with top-tier drivers, and participate in an event that bridges racing traditions from both sides of the Pacific. With renewed organizational focus on international engagement, the Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Japan demo at Fuji Speedway is poised to have lasting influence, opening new conversations about the future of motorsport partnerships and events beyond North America.
Big news from Japan: There will be a NASCAR demonstration run at Fuji Speedway during the final round of the Super Taikyu Series, with Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi, John Hunter Nemechek and more showcasing NASCAR stock cars.
NASCAR cars will also be on display at Fuji… https://t.co/MbO7XY0iJ0
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 1, 2025
━━━━━━≪速報！≫━━━━━━
#NASCAR が富士にやってくる🗽
S耐最終戦でデモラン＆マシン展示
新クラス「ST-USA」も創設🇺🇸
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━… pic.twitter.com/UXmyZVe3bN— 富士スピードウェイ / FUJI SPEEDWAY (@fswpress) November 1, 2025
