Jimmie Johnson Super Taikyu Series excitement soared as the motorsport community witnessed an international celebration of speed and innovation in Japan. On November 14, 2025, at Fuji Speedway, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson joined dignitaries including Akio Toyoda and a roster of top American and Japanese drivers for a groundbreaking exhibition and tech demonstration in the Super Taikyu Series, blending racing talent from both sides of the Pacific.
International Racing Makes a Statement in 2025
NASCAR took a bold leap that year, racing for the first time in a modern era international points event in Mexico City where Daniel Suarez scored a pivotal victory for his home country and Shane van Gisbergen began his own streak on road courses. This momentum set the tone for crossover events as the Cup Series brought its star power into Japan at Fuji Speedway, backed by a collective desire to celebrate both competition and collaboration between nations.
Jimmie Johnson, who serves as both team owner and driver for Legacy Motor Club, arrived in Japan alongside John Hunter Nemechek, his team’s Cup Series driver, for a landmark showcase in the Super Taikyu Series. Their presence demonstrated NASCAR’s push for global appeal while honoring longstanding exchanges between American and Japanese motorsports culture.
Jimmie Johnson’s Meaningful Gifts Honor Japanese Hosts
In a move that caught attention throughout the motorsports world, Jimmie Johnson made a prominent gesture that captured the spirit of international goodwill during the leadup to the Fuji event. The American champion presented Akio Toyoda, Toyota Chairman and also Chairman of the Super Taikyu Mirai Organization, with a bottle of premium Frank August Kentucky bourbon and a signed Legacy MC helmet. This exchange served as a token of thanks amid NASCAR’s visit to compete alongside Japan’s top drivers at one of Asia’s most iconic racing venues. Adam Stern, reporting from the scene, described the gesture:
“@JimmieJohnson gave @Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda a bottle of bourbon and a signed Legacy MC helmet as part of the NASCAR industry’s trip to Japan this week to participate in the Super Taikyu Series event @fswpress, per images from @AUTOSPORT_web.– https://t.co/e4cvMOE4Bp pic.twitter.com/i45xQDm24w”
— Adam Stern, Journalist
The bottle of bourbon, described as “very delicious,” reflected the thoughtful nature of Johnson’s offering. Akio Toyoda also received additional tokens of appreciation from various NASCAR delegations. Hendrick Motorsports provided a scale Camaro ZL1 miniature car to mark the occasion, while 23XI Racing gifted a special NASCAR steering wheel.
The tone of the gathering remained warm and jovial, with Toyoda reciprocating by handing out unique stickers to attendees. This good-natured exchange characterized the seventh round of the Super Taikyu Series, reinforcing ties between Japanese and American racing icons in a festive spirit at the Fuji venue.
American and Japanese Teams Make Headlines at Fuji
The anticipation surrounding the event was high among teams and fans alike. Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club engaged audiences with updates and images from Fuji Speedway, capturing the excitement of racing in new territory. Their social media platform declared:
“Racing somewhere different this week📍Fuji Speedway.”
— Legacy Motor Club Team
Other teams joined the celebration, with 23XI Racing posting a tribute to Kamui Kobayashi, a star who had previously participated in two NASCAR rounds in 2024. Their message set the stage for international camaraderie:
“No better way to spend the offseason than with @ToyotaRacing and our friend @kamuikobayashi at Fuji Speedway! 🫡”
— 23XI Racing
The upcoming Super Taikyu Series round promised a unique hybrid of motorsport cultures. The demonstration would include six NASCAR stock cars, marking the debut of the new ST-USA class designed for this exhibition. Standout entries encompassed Jimmie Johnson piloting the 2023 Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Kamui Kobayashi racing the 23XI Racing No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE, as well as Oyu Toshiki and Kotaka Kazuto representing Fast Track Racing. These participants underlined the event’s significance in promoting international driver collaboration and technical exchange.
Technical Innovations on Display at the Track
Beyond the celebration of racing talent, the Super Taikyu Series event at Fuji also served as a showcase for pioneering advancements, most notably by Toyota Motor Corporation. The auto giant rolled out two hydrogen engine technologies in competition, introducing the #32 TGRR GR Corolla H2 concept running on cutting-edge liquid hydrogen fuel. This step marked a key milestone in Toyota’s ongoing efforts to perfect superconductivity and advance environmentally friendly vehicle performance.
Progress had been demonstrated earlier in the year at the prestigious ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2025 Round 3 NAPAC Fuji 24 Hours Race. During that event, the liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla completed 468 laps, a testament to the evolving effectiveness of upgraded pumps and tanks first piloted in the prior year. This accomplishment moved Toyota and its development partners closer to their goal of reliable, sustainable racing speed in long-endurance conditions.
Industry Leaders Reflect on Achievements and Progress
Akio Toyoda, deeply involved with the hydrogen initiative, voiced his personal satisfaction regarding the project’s direction:
“I’ve finally been able to race; that’s the kind of year it’s been. I think we’ve made progress again,”
— Akio Toyoda, Toyota Chairman
Naoaki Ito, the project’s general manager tasked with overseeing hydrogen engine innovation, articulated how the team overcame significant obstacles to reach this level of achievement:
“Last year, we faced numerous challenges and were unable to thoroughly assess the capabilities of the pump and elliptical tank. This time, the drivers were able to maintain racing speeds throughout the 24 hours, pushing the car and the hydrogen system to extremes. With this, our development takes a leap forward.”
— Naoaki Ito, Project General Manager
This feedback emphasized how critical the latest demonstration was for refining and validating Toyota’s advanced hydrogen propulsion systems in real track conditions. It cemented the company’s reputation as an innovative powerhouse committed to green motorsport technologies, while reinforcing collaboration as a catalyst for success within the Super Taikyu Series community.
A Milestone for International Motorsport Relations
The gathering of American and Japanese drivers, teams, and dignitaries like Jimmie Johnson, Akio Toyoda, Kamui Kobayashi, and John Hunter Nemechek marked a historic step in enhancing global appreciation for motorsport. Through spirited competition, technical demonstrations, and acts of goodwill, the event at Fuji Speedway is now seen as a touchstone for collaborative progress between the world’s premier racing cultures. As the debut of the ST-USA class paves the way for future international exhibitions, fans and insiders alike look forward to where this new chapter of cross-continental racing will go next.
As the Super Taikyu Series continues to innovate and welcome fresh talent, partnerships, and technology, the world of motorsport stands on the edge of transformative change, inspired by the passion and generosity of figures like Jimmie Johnson and their counterparts across the globe.
.@JimmieJohnson gave @Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda a bottle of bourbon and a signed Legacy MC helmet as part of the NASCAR industry's trip to Japan this week to participate in the Super Taikyu Series event @fswpress, per images from @AUTOSPORT_web.
– https://t.co/e4cvMOE4Bp pic.twitter.com/i45xQDm24w
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) November 14, 2025
