Legacy Motor Club has launched a new Jimmie Johnson NASCAR documentary that lifts the curtain on a transformative international journey, showing how the team brought American stock car racing to Japanese fans at Fuji Speedway. The project highlights the team’s ambitious push for global recognition, aiming to position Johnson and Legacy Motor Club as trailblazers for NASCAR’s international growth in the coming years.
A Unique Look at Racing Culture Across Japan
The documentary, titled The Climb to Mt. Fuji, follows the story of Johnson’s team after accepting a personal invitation from Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s Chairman, to participate in the Super Taikyu event at the renowned Fuji Speedway. The film captures not only the intense on-track action but also explores Tokyo’s diverse districts, immersing viewers in Japanese culture through visits to temples, traditional craft displays, and vibrant local neighborhoods. These scenes offer a firsthand account of how motorsports resonates with fans across cultural boundaries.
Global NASCAR Enthusiasm on Display
The journey’s significance is amplified by encounters with Japanese motorsports fans, many of whom have followed NASCAR for years, proudly wearing merchandise from teams like Legacy Motor Club, Hendrick Motorsports, and 23XI Racing. This growing international enthusiasm was highlighted by an observer:
“I was told by Legacy MC, Hendrick Motorsports, and 23XI Racing that the Japanese fans had a ton of NASCAR merch. This Legacy documentary certainly proved that,”
— John Newby, senior writer at Savage Ventures
As the team experienced the well-established motorsport community in Japan, John Hunter Nemechek of Legacy Motor Club reflected on the impact of the trip:
“From the action on track to the energy of the fans, this trip showed how powerful motorsports can be as a universal language. I am very thankful to Toyota and the ABAJ for their hospitality and hope we get to go back,”
— John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club driver
Connecting on and off the Track
Jimmie Johnson emphasized the emotional resonance of the experience, recalling the lasting impression left by witnessing Japanese fans embrace American motorsports:
“Being able to share our sport with fans halfway around the world, seeing them decked out in our gear and experiencing their racing culture firsthand, was something I’ll never forget,”
— Jimmie Johnson, Owner, Legacy Motor Club
During the event, Johnson and Nemechek joined Japanese stars Kamui Kobayashi and Takuma Koga for exhibition pace laps, further bridging the gap between racing communities. The Super Taikyu Series endurance finale on November 16 became a landmark stage for NASCAR’s largest international exhibition yet, placing the spotlight firmly on the collaboration between American and Japanese drivers. The interactions throughout the trip provided a vivid testament to the shared passion that unites fans and competitors worldwide.
Expanding NASCAR’s Global Reach
The documentary doesn’t just chronicle an event; it captures the persistence of a smaller team, Legacy Motor Club, as they worked to make a meaningful impact in a new country. Showcasing behind-the-scenes teamwork and the drivers’ heartfelt engagement with international fans, the film serves as a case study for how NASCAR can expand its appeal beyond the United States and reach new audiences.
With Jimmie Johnson and Legacy Motor Club at the forefront, the initiative signals NASCAR’s intention to continue its global outreach efforts, building bridges across continents and sharing the excitement of stock car racing with a worldwide audience. The Jimmie Johnson NASCAR documentary ultimately positions this journey as a benchmark for future international collaborations, suggesting that the world stage is becoming increasingly accessible to American motorsport organizations.
I was told by Legacy MC, Hendrick Motorsports, and 23XI Racing that the Japanese fans had a ton of NASCAR merch. This Legacy documentary certainly proved that.
Check out that @chasebriscoe hat. pic.twitter.com/QdoIOXzOS7— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) December 17, 2025
