1997 NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special from Suzuka City, Japan | NASCAR Classic Race Replay

Relive the 1997 NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special from Suzuka City, Japan that saw Mike Skinner win his first of two races in the country.
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[@marchedgie6838]

Imagine NASCAR going back to Suzuka in this modern day, with the next gen car feeling like a sports car in performance. I wouldn't want to miss that.

[@m3lgar582]

100%

[@hypesion2223]

@@DixytheGoat9 Then Fuji. Toyota own it and it was supposed to be a oval I think.

[@davencherry845]

There's to many road courses world wide, shit bring them monza,italy

[@r3uvsgaming]

@@davencherry845 shit, NASCAR needs more road courses in general, don't matter where in the world

[@JohnnyBluebeam]

@@r3uvsgaming I agree with that statement. I’m more inclined to watch a nascar race in its entirety when they’re on road corses. There’s more to just going fast in a race. Road corses definitely show which driver’s have real skill & talent.

[@BottleRocket11]

*Hopes for international exhibitions returning intensify*

[@badbooking3221]

Only if the schedule is reduced by 2 or 3 points paying races. When these exhibitions happened, the seasons were about 30 races a year with lots of room for makeup dates and other shenanigans.

[@johnferri8456]

NASCAR at SPA, Monza , or Monaco would be insane

[@badbooking3221]

@@johnferri8456 SPA I could see, Monza yes, Monaco absolutely not. I would say put the Cup cars at Laguna Seca and let's have some fun however.

[@ihog_xd6762]

@@badbooking3221 there is three configurations of Monza that NASCAR can race on that I can think of right off the bat. They could race on the Monza short track, they can race on the regular circuit, without using the first chicane, or just the regular configurations that F1 uses.

[@BunkerMonkeyUK]

@@ihog_xd6762 Thruxton or Brands Indy UK.

[@TheBoondoggler]

Something about 90's NASCAR feels so special

[@TeardropSidemarker]

Tsuchiya and Burns being fantastic representatives of Japanese Group A and Australian Touring cars. A time when most NASCAR fans would’ve never heard of names like Skyline or Holden before.

[@austinreed5805]

I wish that NASCAR would return to Suzuka.

[@curlydoge101]

Same here friend

[@Logan912]

I could see Fuji Speedway happening, but I doubt Suzuka because it’s owned by Honda who has a *huge* rivalry with Toyota.

[@ds1527]

How about Motegi?

[@Logan912]

@@ds1527 Also owned by Honda, but sadly the oval get damaged by an earthquake anyway. They still haven’t repaired it, but the road course at Motegi is fine.

[@HelminthCombos]

they probably lost a ton of money going there the first time did you see how empty those stands are?

[@marcisawesome0469]

I would love to see NASCAR racing in the United Kingdom.

[@brianbruce4261]

Look up the NASCAR Euro Series

[@marcisawesome0469]

@@brianbruce4261 yeah but imo it's boaring

[@Logan912]

NASCAR at Brands Hatch or Donington would be awesome

[@amuriixx22]

Same

[@PescaraProductions]

I like how there's two decent size ovals in Britain and and none are mentioned in this comment section lol (and yes I know 1 is closed)

[@AustinLaPlante]

And with that, all NASCAR Exhibition Races from Japan are on KZbin from NASCAR's YT channel. Now if only we can get the Exhibition Race from Australia in 1988.

[@andrewarmstrong7254]

Search 1988 Goodyear 500, it's our there.

[@clayfoster9303]

I would like to see them run the full circuit in the new car. To see them coming out of Spoon and trying to carry as much speed as possible through turn 15 would be wild

[@matthewreese2722]

Thank you so so much nascar for every one of these replays, a million thank yous dont even start to express how much I thank you for all of these videos. Please keep them coming ❤❤❤

[@CertifiedForkLiftOperator69420]

this was my first ever race i watched. i wasnt old enough to follow drivers or know what was going on. i think i was 4-5 at this time.

[@waydebaker33]

I don't believe you. You sound like a cop.

[@racingmaniac2549]

Thanks NASCAR for the upload.

[@T-Rex-nm1se]

Nascar should start racing in other countries. Especially Suzuka in Japan. Nascar should bring back Suzuka one day. I know they're is a race track in Canada and Nascar has a mexico series. While Europe has it's own nascar series. I say nascar should start racing in Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan etc. I think it would be pretty cool.

[@legoferrari14]

Unfortunately, Toyota notwithstanding, the big NASCAR manufacturers have relatively little presence in Japan. If the major Japanese manufacturers do get more involved with the Next Gens, we _might_ have some hope for a Japanese stock car series but that's entirely dependent on their interest. If the Japanese manufacturers do decide to make a move on NASCAR, I've listed some possibilities for the cars that their respective manufacturers will field. Nissan are now fielding their latest Z car in the Super GT, but that car's probably too swept-back to suit the NASCAR style (even with the A90 Supra competing in the Xfinity series), so I expect they'll probably choose the L34 Altima for their Stock Car platform. Subaru's most likely Stock Car base would probably be the BW Legacy to give it distinction from the ARA's WRX. Since it's in the same size bracket as the other two cars mentioned, the best bet for Honda would be the CV Accord, however the higher-ups at Honda have clearly stated their intent to focus more on Motorbike racing, so I doubt they'll dabble into NASCAR so soon after pulling out of F1, at least if they're gonna stick around in Indy.

[@jermainenowels9511]

That’s too much traveling

[@crystaljon]

Did anyone notice that error they made with the Earnhardt crash? They kept saying it was Tsuchiya that hit him when Tsuchiya was the one with the onboard camera. I mean hell, Baker even argued in Earnhardt's interview that it was Tsuchiya even though both the interview and replay showed it was Dallenbach. The commentators would be condemned to hell if that mistake was made today.

[@JamConcerned]

Yep they would be roasted on Twitter.

[@vipergtsrgt1]

Ken Squier also kept calling Jim Richards “Jim Roberts from Australia.” Even though he raced a lot in Australia, he’s from New Zealand.

[@AliizDelonge]

I was just thinking the same damn thing. He took blame but it wasn’t his fault 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@mikewilson8407]

RIP Ken.....BEST of the BEST!! GOAT announcer for NASCAR

[@BentleyTypeR]

It's cool how drifting started in America, and Japan rethanks them by letting them race there

[@Logan912]

Not to mention that the Drift King himself was in that race too. He was the first person to use drifting in road course racing and made it work.

[@user-wo1ur5tz9d]

except drifting originated in japan? or am i missing a joke

[@BentleyTypeR]

@@user-wo1ur5tz9d See when NASCAR was just a bunch of Rum Runners trying to see who was the fastest, they would be on a dirt track, and they would sometimes drift around the corners. That was going on back in the 1930's or 40's, while from what I looked up, drifting was starting to get popular in Japan in the 60's.

[@BentleyTypeR]

@@user-wo1ur5tz9d See when NASCAR was just a bunch of Rum Runners trying to see who was the fastest, they would be on a dirt track, and they would sometimes drift around the corners. That was going on back in the 1930's or 40's, while from what I looked up, drifting was starting to get popular in Japan in the 60's.

[@user-wo1ur5tz9d]

@@BentleyTypeR Ah alright. Correct me if I'm wrong though, I would have classed that on the side of powersliding moreso than drifting, considering the sidewards movement is commenced primarily through the power of the vehicle + the dirt lessening the grip. Drifting is alot more deliberate in regards to sliding where the sidewards movement is consciously maintained until the later apex, initializing the slide as early into the corner as possible. Nevertheless I should add that I'm new to NASCAR and I'm still learning the history of the sport considering I lean alot more towards formula 1, so I have a lot to catch up on

[@Awakelettuce77]

wish we had another NASCAR in Suzuka or Motegi again in modern day ...

[@joshthegreatest1198]

So glad Skinner got his first win at Japan for RCR

[@cjholland48]

We need this to happen again soon

[@Mr._Mayonnaise]

Imagine going to the race and wrecking in the first lap Kenny Irwin: Who needs to imagine

[@gathel8574]

Fact that Tsuchiya Keichi join this race

[@Jimmyk63]

Thank you for your videos 🙂👍

[@existinginaspace8347]

In 97 this broadcast had more issues than the bulk of the 80's races did....

[@SeniorWhoopyIRL]

We should go back there

[@anthonydeloreto3881]

Jeff Gordon was not in this race since he had polyp surgery in his vocal chords.

[@anthonydeloreto3881]

Source: Orlando Sentinel

[@brandonyoung156]

Buddy and Ken at their best (clueless) as ever! Buddy: "I know exactly what happened..." 42:29 the 46 (light blue) car of Dallenbach and Earnhardt get together, not the 01 (green) car of Tsuchiya and Earnhardt. 2 cars pass Earnhardt, the 46 and then the 01, and you're looking out the rear bumper cam of the 01 when Earnhardt goes head on into the wall. 44:08 you can see the front fender of the 46 all crumpled up and you can tell the 01 got into the rear bumper of someone, not the side. 30:41 the 01 hooked Hornaday in the first lap melee.

[@brandonyoung156]

47:16 the Japanese reporter gives Tsuchiya's account. 48:47 Earnhardt gives account of it being Dallenbach. He's raced against Wally D. enough to know who is in that car. 49:18 Buddy doubles down on his ignorance. Bet he was one of those people that if you asked him if someone passed the person running second what position they were in he would have said first.

[@Flamingbro69]

Mike “Big in Japan” Skinner

[@kangarooswild]

a superb drive by Mike Skinner who had a great 5 year run in the RCR #31 unfortunate he didn't get a points paying victory...

[@ForeverYoungAaron]

What is it with NASCAR at Suzuka and heart attacks? Elmo dies of one the first year and France has a minor one the second. Other than that I wish NASCAR did more international specials

[@HumbertoSaabedra]

Long-haul air travel puts you at greater risk for blood clots and strokes. Charlotte to Japan is a day and a half and older travelers are at higher risk if they don't take steps to lower the risk.

[@ForeverYoungAaron]

@@HumbertoSaabedra I would never have known that and I bet many don’t before traveling. Thank you!

[@residentnotevil8888]

i love the 90s era

[@austinhrkid1]

Be cool to see a Japan race again

[@PatrollingAbout]

27 laps and ive already lost count how many times they got Jim Richards name wrong

[@Silverblade-xq4uy]

Just like SVG lol

[@Taniel_Rikkiarado]

I love how no one noticed that the Kiwi, Jim Richards was placed 2nd the day before the race

[@05Vermont]

How About the 1997 Mountain Dew Southern 500 for the next NASCAR Classic Race Replay

[@anthonydeloreto3881]

Well next up they’ll have the 1992 Hooters 500 in crystal clear high definition! Cleanest footage you’ll ever find! Granted, it was originally aired in SD, but just like all the other races beforehand, (2008 Richmond though looks awful) it’s remastered in HD.

[@thinkwithvideos3310]

The good old hay days🙂

[@lucasherbst447]

Is this cup series in Japan?

[@bharper1977]

Yeah, they raced there once.

[@erichoover7105]

@@bharper1977 Three times, actually. This is the second of the three.

[@Trad_chad1122]

Mike definitely got an upgrade going from Beth to Angie lol

[@mikemeeks8436]

I kinda wish Nascar would go back to japan. Maybe another track in a different country. Get a big purse and make a big event out of it. I'm sure it's very expensive to travel overseas. But if Nascar hipped it up and put a higher percentage of money into the purse, teams would definitely do it.

[@robertchatterton738]

Back when nascar was it’s greatest, rusty wallace dale earnhardt Jeff Gordon

[@cirehey5961]

1:43:00 Tsuchiya Keiichi onboard

[@tnkl_4254]

Is it just me or are the video and audio not synced up right?

[@tnkl_4254]

@Andrew McFadden wait so it isn't just me with the desync?

[@tnkl_4254]

@Andrew McFadden true, the yellow bar is fucky

[@rickydeathtower]

Imagine if a portion of the playoffs or portion of the season leading up to the playoffs included a slew of international races. *chefs kiss*

[@FlyinBlaney]

Cautions breed cautions!

[@fhaters4496]

Lowe's in 1997

[@anthonydeloreto3881]

I wonder where Akira Toriyama was? Albeit if he was at this race, this place would hardly have any room to sit because of one man! 😂

[@user-mo5vk7fn6s]

NASCARてオーバルコースに最高のセッテイングをして実力の全てを発揮する車。 一般サーキットでの走行は余りにも、車がかわいそう。 アメリカでもオーバル以外のレースはあるけど、主役はオーバル。 事前でオーバル以外のレースとかやってるけど、ＮＡＳＣＡＲでやる必要あるの？て何時も思う。

[@bradyelich2745]

Oval courses are hard. As Jeff Gordon states, "the corner starts way over there and ends way over there". Your timing marks come up quickly, and NASCAR drivers have to shift manually, and brakes are burned out fast.

[@StripeGurger]

I don't know what you're saying but Japanese NASCAR fan I love you.

[@bradyelich2745]

@@StripeGurger I just talked to him like the guys do in Oceans 11, 12, 13.

[@bradyelich2745]

@@StripeGurger He is displaying a Maple Leaf. Must be Canadian.

[@KandTnohito]

ロードコースに適応しないレースカーはレースカーとは呼び難いからなぁ

[@audir8king124]

This comment is brought to you by the letters *W, T and F* !

[@jefflynn4836]

24 ads? Are you serious?

[@ForeverYoungAaron]

Ever watch on TV? I’d be glad to watch 24 short and mostly skip-able ads vs those painfully long ad breaks on live tv

[@ironcityrailfan8467]

Hello

[@GachaRobert36]

Cool, I guess.

[@GulfNation]

поехали

[@thesteveruss]

NASCAR needs more road courses.

[@tnkl_4254]

We've got 7 tho, that seems like more than plenty for an oval series

[@Rowdy_D70]

The most that we should have is 4 or 5, 7 is too much for me.

[@FlyinBlaney]

*looks at 2021 schedule* Boy have I got good news for you!

[@StripeGurger]

@@tnkl_4254 Man, right? Glen and Sonoma were always good fun, but that's the exception, because the sport is built on ovals. Charlotte Roval, sure, why not, but now we're going to the Daytona road course for a points race, that's ridiculous. Don't even talk to me about dropping the Brickyard 400 for the road course. I hate that. I want the damn rectangle.

[@tnkl_4254]

@@StripeGurger I think that if we keep the number of road courses rn assuming the schedule doesn't get smaller, this is good, just rotate the road courses, like one year indy and Daytona, others Laguna Seca and Sebring or something like that

[@flamaganvan3000]

Nice track bad cars

[@goldleaf889]

WHY show the winner in the graphic such a waste

[@BANGITSME87]

The race was 23 years ago, it’s not a spoiler. Technically, they didn’t say who won, so you spoiled it.

[@TomLehockySVK]

@@BANGITSME87 Are you stupid ?? With logic like that, you tell your children how a movie ENDS before they even watch it because it is OLD ?? That is honestly just a total disrespect and stupid in all ways possible, to put a spoiler in the thumbnail, as that is impossible to avoid seeing. And nascar is still stupid even today for putting spoilers in thumbnails for new races that JUST HAPPENED, especially stupid since a lot of people outside US can't watch NR live.

[@ldhmnh]

Gordon no race, me no watch...

[@jayt1077]

He was having surgery on his vocal chords at the time. I think it was the only race he ever missed and that it didnt count towards his steak because it wasnt for points.

[@StripeGurger]

Right, because racing is only good if one guy is there.

[@HelminthCombos]

wtf its not an oval?

[@StripeGurger]

wtf neither is Watkins Glen or Sonoma, or Road America, or Riverside. There's no oval at Suzuka.

[@KandTnohito]

If you want to see a race on an oval held in Japan, watch the 1998 race at Twin Ring Motegi.

[@LightningMcMeme]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@wmwpuck]

Why just why

[@Tvtgames101]

Gordon won this race

[@anthonydeloreto3881]

Craven drove his car. Gordon had polyp surgery.

[@benanderson1176]

He wasn’t even there.

[@KandTnohito]

If you want to see Jeff driving at Suzuka, watch the 1996 race.