The Time NASCAR Raced in Japan

For 3 years between 1996 and 1998, NASCAR made history by going across the Pacific to race in Japan for an Exhibition race after the 1996 Winston Cup Season. Not only was it just super cool to be at a track where Formula 1 races, but this race had it all. Everything from big crashes, spins, battles for the lead, and even an epic duel between Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt.
The Time NASCAR Raced in Japan - 1996 Suzuka International Racing Course
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I do not own any of the footage in this video, all credit goes to the respective owners: NASCAR, NASCAR Media Group, Fox, NBC, NBC Sports, ESPN.

[@LunaIsOnYoutube]

The fact the "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya raced a nascar race is so wild to me

[@EliteSniperTV]

The man is just 👌👌

[@ciello___8307]

He was a class winner at Lemans in GT2 ( in a honda nsx) and raced toyota's TS020 le mans GT1 car as well. He's not just a drifter. He's a legitimate racecar driver

[@JolteonRacer]

Watching Tsuchiya practice Nascar gave me much higher respect for the sport. racing NASCAR is NOT easy and driving in circles is tough and nervewracking. Props!

[@Shace616]

@@ciello___8307 He class won in 1999 with a Toyota GT1 as well

[@bryanlomo9897]

he had a onboard video of it, very fun and intense

[@benwalter4842]

This race had stages way before stages were actually a perminant thing in NASCAR.

[@troygroomes104]

That is the Japanese racing rules for the JGTC/ Super Gt series

[@SwingAxleLover]

@@troygroomes104 Uhh no they don't do stages lol

[@troygroomes104]

@@SwingAxleLover have you ever watched one of their races? I have in person in 1999 at Fuji Speedway

[@SwingAxleLover]

@@troygroomes104 I watch every Super GT race, as well as Super Formula

[@troygroomes104]

@@SwingAxleLover same, and I have raced against a driver from the gt 300 class a few years back in my imca modified

[@KonwTheTrut]

I love how Gordon and Earnhardt were just having a laugh with each other after fighting hard. I miss that part of nascar

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Grand Prize Big Ass Car

[@454k30]

The mid 90’s were the peak of nascar. It was the last of the old school drivers and the beginning of the modern era. The sport was at its highest popularity and NASCAR was booming with interesting and creative ways to grow the sport. It was good times.

[@nicksmith-rz2dl]

Lol and now it's a shit show.

[@goodcitizen7064]

The 90's period were like that for most everything.

[@shadowpersonoftheunknown6245]

It's pretty cool seeing Dale and Jeff smiling about their battle after the race

[@Megacooler96_]

It be cool to see Nascar run in foreign tracks again like in Japan and some in Europe

[@ddrhero]

I want to see them run Spa

[@alexfraley]

Nascar has an entire European series. Called Whelen Euro

[@B-A-L]

@@alexfraley It's only NASCAR in name though! Its basically a one make series using different bodyshells and a series of short races instead of one long one. There's no other need for NASCAR in Europe because there are hundreds of far better road racing series. It's not like NFL International games where thats the only chance Europeans get to see pro level football!

[@ciello___8307]

they should race in mexico

[@supermaster2012]

@@B-A-L American bastardized rugby, you mean. When you're literally the only country in the world that uses football for that sport, you're clearly the idiotic country.

[@penguinman69]

I have a Terry Labonte diecast car from this race. I got it because it said Suzuka circuit and it had some japanese words on it so i bought it from a vendor at Irwindale Speedway for $9 because I race on suzuka circuit on gran turismo sport (a game I play).Brought it home did research and hung it on my wall with the rest of my hotwheels and diecast nascars.

[@corbinselanne7990]

Another game that has Suzuka Circuit as a track is Forza Motorsport 4

[@GG-bt2fs]

@@corbinselanne7990 jesus fucking christ you cant mention GT without a Forza parastie trying to attach itsself on hahahaha

[@rainingmoneyx]

NASCAR actually also went to Japan in 1999 at Motegi but it was a Winston West (now ARCA West) race and the turnout of drivers was relatively poor as it clashed with the cup race weekend so it was dropped after 1999.

[@Poundcakebowler]

Did they run the oval or the road course

[@mokeimusic]

I lived in Japan for 18 years, these Nascar races really had a big impact as most of the hobby manufactures went fill tilt in to producing Nascar models, RC car, diecast and other things. It was wild how serious they became about it.

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

I remember hearing that the japanese fans werent too happy about rcr bringing the blue ac delco car and not the black goodwrench car

[@otaviofrn_adv]

The japanese know their way around racing, they don't show up at the track empryhanded on knowledge Naturally they got the image of Earnhardt in the GM Goodwrench, just like they would associate Wayne Rainey or Ayrton Senna with the Marlboro scheme. Can't really blame them

[@flapflapflapflap]

Nascar on non oval tracks is reminecent to the good ol' touring car days

[@kwbt56]

2020年までは日本でも放送されていたのに、今ではもう放送されていないNASCAR。 もう一度、鈴鹿サーキットと、もてぎを走ってほしい。

[@bob1152]

Saw your Daytona USA video. Big fan!

[@KandTnohito]

マシン運送とか厳しそうだし何せもてぎはオーバルが死んでるから経済的にどうかなーって感じだね。 でもまた日本のサーキットを走ってほしいのは事実

[@benstutley2904]

From a UK race fan- I'd definitely Welcome a Championship Nascar round at Silverstone, or maybe Donington, be great to have you guys over here! :)

[@gilliganallmighty3]

I remember a race at Sonoma where Earnhardt and Kyle Petty were back in the mid 30s a lap down in a pretty boring race. They started racing each other hard. It was the only exciting thing happening, because Gordon was about half-a-mile ahead of the second place car, and most everyone else was happy to run single file.

[@manuelgrothe608]

I wish NASCAR Cup Series with the Next Gen 7 would return to Japan

[@thomasjefferson6225]

I remember watching this, and watching the pre race showing the drivers doing touristy shit in Japan. Back when nascar was good.

[@TwoAcresandaMule]

Stayed up super late to record it and was asleep by the end of it.

[@yfi62dortoh]

I really really really wish nascar would do this again. Another Japan trip for them would be the COOLEST exhibition ever especially in todays age with the next Gen. Really get a global audience!

[@zondor8123]

now this is the NASCAR I wanted to see, oval is kinda boring for me so I stayed with F1 and GT

[@jacekatalakis8316]

The 96 Suzuka weekend had some oddities to Western fans IIRC, they had a lottery system for tickets, the same way they did or the F1 race, and NASCAR did not translate all that well to Japanese. THere was a part in the TBS intro where Hideo Fukuyama I think it was, explained that NASCAR translated to let the egg plants race, or literally, egg plant racers. This was also the weekend Elmo Langley passed away, hence the 64 decal on all the Cup cars as well. And yes. THat is a theme park outside the track, too EDIT: The halway break was the standard setup for 95-96 Craftsman Truck races at the time, too. Also that Turn 1/Esses combo is amazing in any car, even in simulators it is a fantastic bit of track

[@tkpenalty]

The lottery system is pretty normal for Japanese events actually. A lot of sporting and music events are sold that way by default.

[@Wangchung405]

Don’t forget to call Steve and ask him if he’s still fixing transmissions

[@ryeistoasted8577]

Elmo Langley had actually passed away at the track while he was driving the pace car to learn the circuit. After it had been announced that Langley had passed, Buster Auton was tapped to drive the pace car, which he did up until relatively recently.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

That's awesome nascar raced in Japan for three years from 1996 to 1998 and this was a good track they raced on

[@Dannyedelman4231]

Hershel finally called it quits this past year for local racing because of his age being the oldest dirt track driver in Oregon I believe his is 94 or 95

[@Sebastian-M]

Incredible when you realize he's been racing since the 50s

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

Man thats crazy! He still must have had some reflexes. I guess he didn't get too many concussions racing for 70 years lol

[@Dannyedelman4231]

@@extragoogleaccount6061 he never really got into wrecks and was respected so he never really got "dumped"

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

@@Dannyedelman4231 Nice. Yea, I guess he had "veteren status" at the local dirt tracks by 1960 haha

[@AbhimanyuSingh-xs2lh]

95 is insane, that is superhuman

[@shiftymiata]

Imagine how cool the parking lot looked at a NASCAR race in Suzuka Japan in 1996 🤯

[@adamwebster9784]

RIGHT?!?

[@Delimon007]

They should do this more often, I'm not really interested much in oval races anymore, but if they race on real tracks I'm down for something new!

[@shadowguy128]

I wanna see nascar go there again but on the full track layout

[@travisjohnson8282]

I might be in the minority here but I wouldn't mind seeing a international NASCAR race again. Just don't know what track lol

[@loveracing1988]

Nuremberg

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Bathurst or Interlagos

[@shawnduffy1988]

Isle Of Man

[@everettgrover9459]

Travis Johnson...that would be kinda cool i think....they can pick a random course like spa, interlagos, monza, silverstone

[@ChrisBl33p]

Fuji

[@jaredsimpson1501]

You should do a video on the race at Twin Ring Motegi. There were some pretty big wrecks in that race.

[@dalaanibombina8822]

Even though i find normal nascar to be boring (driving in circles is no fun), these guys are super highly talented! Driving that close at those speeds is no damn joke! This is racing!

[@eggselent9814]

I think you should give oval racing a chance. I was into F1 at the beginning and started watching IndyCar and NASCAR at the side. I especially didn't like the oval races. But once you actually watch an oval race, you like it. At least that's what i expierienced. Right now i'd say i prefer IndyCar and NASCAR to F1

[@juanmanuelpenaloza9264]

I find it crazy that Earnhardt and Tsuchiya were in the same race. Un-freakin'-believable

[@b.1570]

NASCAR: NASCAR but in Japan: insert wow meme*

[@diegor3689]

Gen 7 cars and the full circuit layout match perfect Imo

[@himmelhero]

Suzuka is such a great track

[@Sebastian-M]

Nice video. Nascar had great racing at both Suzuka and Motegi. The 97 race has got to be my favorite though

[@TheMrtgamer]

The 1st caution wasn't because Waltrip blew the motor, Waltrip Said in his interview that the transmission seized up and blew up... Just a FYI from someone who has watched this race multiple times

[@tacob69]

To me 94 to 2000 is the absolute best Nascar ever.Really all of the 90s but towards the end of the 90s was the rush out west and the demise of Nascar as it was for 50 years.Its unrecognizable today with a bunch of silliness like segment racing.

[@mralvarez147]

awesome race, awesome track, awesome vid! thanks for creating it

[@aaronwoodard1749]

Thanks for posting this video!! I remember this but had forgotten about it. Rusty Wallace was a beast on short tracks and road courses!

[@sik59rt]

Wow, I was at Suzuka in 96 for vacation and haven’t heard about this race until now.

[@zakkholguin3942]

Pretty awesome to see Dale Earnhardt rounding the same corner that Senna took Prost on.

[@lewiskemp5893]

Nascar raced Japan 3 times. 96 and 97 at Suzuka and 98 at Moteigo

[@cashmasters99]

And here I though nascar at suzuka would be an absurd thought, but now I know it actually happened

[@emanh4keem_san420]

This is the most culture shock of motorsport

[@samuelproctor7591]

Great video 😃 I would love it if you covered the other 2 Japan races.

[@velocityvicious6264]

In know that DTM raced there under the ITC brand in 96 but nascar too. Japan in 1996 was Motorsport Mekka.

[@jamesball2758]

as a young guy please NASCAR bring this back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please!

[@TonySopeano46]

Dale in Suzuka? Absolutely based

[@c8a2s9e7y]

Great video. I never knew this happened.

[@johnclark8637]

I never saw Dale Sr drive the Acdelco car before

[@johnniegill9801]

I wish NASCAR would do this like Spa or Red Bull Ring or my most hated race playing F1 Monaco that

[@spacecalander]

Great memories, awesome race!

[@metrichotrods1763]

I lived in Japan for years. Their asphalt uses dredged coral as substrate because they dont have enough dirt to use. Its slick. Anyone who hasnt driven or raced there ends up backwards and surprised.

[@jatzbethstappen9814]

I love watching these "alternative history" videos!

[@spencera3075]

Those poor marshals. “What do you mean we only use 2 flags?” Lol

[@quintonworden6318]

Something about Suzuka just makes for great racing no matter what category of cars. I always wished Jeff Gordon had gotten a drive in open wheel cars either formula or indy, I think he would have done well.. He was a great talent and always had a knack for road courses.

[@eaglerare1273]

thanks for this content, I totally forgot about this. A possible follow up could be to cover the logistics of getting all the cars over there, did the teams still use private jets with the distance, etc...

[@AceSeptre]

I think NASCAR might benefit from picking up an international race. Somewhere like Brands Hatch Indy Circuit or Silverstone National. It would have to be a Saturday race but I think it could work.

[@RubberMuffin]

The one track I really want to see them race is Monza or Le Mans

[@tonyiverson5613]

This was awesome. Do the ring next!

[@terrygoyan3022]

Those inverted restarts are so stupid. When a car drops back on the first segment, in reality they are passing that car! Crazy..... I remember seeing Herschel McGraff at Sears Point racing Winston West races in the 80's. He and Willy T. Ribbs where my favorite drivers. Willie would dance on the hood of his cars after winning, something I'm sure his mechanics loved!

[@Monkemonkemonkemonkemonkee]

I feel like Nascar should make a push to race internationally. Like imagine Nascar at spa, or monza. I’d watch that, F1 is already making a HUGE push in the US with 3 races scheduled to be in the f1 calendar in 2023. (In Texas, Miami, and Las vegas if someone is wondering.) Nascar should make the push to Europe or anywhere else. Nascar would be many times more popular.

[@silvy3047]

This is so strange my brain can't even comprehend it happening

[@funkygoobermelon]

This feels like a fever dream

[@Twinspinner]

Not to mention, Elmo Langley (the original pace car driver) was making parade laps before race time and he had a heart attack in the pace car right next to Buddy Baker, and unfortunately didn't make it.

[@yooniqe85]

there was also an attempt to race at Fuji but that fell through

[@tyleroutingdyke849]

ok I'm not gonna lie here but the susuka setup definitely brings a new challenge and I'd definitely love to see it added into the series again

[@EvernhamNo9]

First time I’ve heard about this. I’ve been watching NASCAR since ‘98 lmao

[@justawhisperintheuniverse8257]

Not a NASCAR fan. Never knew they raced a Suzuka, but this was cool to see!

[@aguywhodoesstuff1116]

youre just a whisper in the universe lol

[@MathRaven1910]

As a Brazilian i hope to see NASCAR with a doubleheader with Stock Car Brasil in Interlagos in the future

[@JustGenius2001]

NASCAR racing at Nurburgring I mean just think about it. They could run the GP/D track or the Nordschleife (sorry if I misspelled it). I think it would be an epic challenge.

[@DrRyan82994]

man i would love to see them on the full course

[@phillipavennemannjr9688]

Good video

[@REALTRIZX]

This is so cool I never knew they went to Suzuka

[@andymb601]

I don't watch NASCAR but I do know that one day I decided why not and just watched this whole race on KZbin. NASCAR isn't broadcast here btw lol

[@jamieire]

bro 100 laps of suzuka would take 2-3 hours if they ran the f1 portion 💀

[@MikeyLew47]

Really cool to hear some old Winston West names like Hornaday, Obrist, McGriff, Gaylord and Butch Gilliland

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

Talk about an utter chaotic race

[@chrispix61]

I was not familiar with this track at all and then the video game "Gran Turismo" came out and I fell in love with this track the short and long versions

[@otaviofrn_adv]

This is Suzuka. If you know and don't like it, I have serious issues about your racing character

[@joseangelgutierrez8122]

Hey do a nascar video of the Busch series race in Mexico In 2005

[@briangriffinfamilyguyfan81]

And when they raced in and at Montreal as well

[@Desmigalhation]

this is fucking brilliant man...F1 fan here!

[@WhuDhat]

what a cool re-cap

[@crusherbmx]

Seriously? How did I not know this! I was big into Nascar, Indy and F1 in the 90's....I hit this video assuming this was happening this year.

[@JohnDoe-yq9ml]

Suzuka is the best track in the world imo

[@fearandloathingmedia2051]

THIS SHOULD BE THE NEW CLASH

[@iambism]

I would watch NASCAR if they did this

[@blacksackjack9302]

I think if NASCARS raced on international tracks, the motorsport would've been famous, same goes to indycar

[@RCPropaganda]

This was cool

[@mr.prezzy]

I would actually watch nascar if they raced real tracks like this

[@notapleasemember]

They do have road courses on their schedule if you're interested

[@ditzyneko637]

They really had some cool cars back then!

[@peekaboo1575]

There are some Best Motoring videos about these races. They're pretty comfy.

[@lewiskemp5893]

I watched them. In 1998 that was Dale Jr first cup race in the polar bear coke car

[@Lorijenken]

seeing that #3 car made me tear up...

[@elr2141979]

I can't believe how good Dale sr is on road courses

[@179107199999]

Do some research you gotta see how godlike he was! that man was a beast. He was one of team Corvettes best drivers during 24 hours of Daytona and he was a fan of Aryton Senna. Dale was a beast

[@xtlm]

One of those races was the debut of Jr I think? I remember them hyping it as Jr racing with his dad for the first time or something. I could be wrong, I was young lol

[@brady.s197]

NASCAR at Bathurst would be crazy

[@D3Vlicious]

Kinda disappointing they only used the east circuit, since most of Suzuka's iconic corners (Degner's, Spoon, the 130R) are in the latter half.

[@RhodokTribesman]

The East circuit is like the kiddie pool of Suzuka tbh

[@jc1424]

I just want them to go back and race at Tsukuba

[@jdbb3gotskills]

Why have I never heard of this and why won’t we go back.

[@rick6083]

I remember that race when I was a teenager I was a rusty fan

[@scottl.1568]

I recognize a lot of colorful names from the past

[@brantleygainey6205]

Keep it it we need the unknown races,fotage don't remember

[@mikemaffe]

Gordon was an incredible road racer, would’ve loved to see him in Indy or f1

[@otaviofrn_adv]

He tested a Williams once in the Indianapolis road course in it's original form, with turns 1 and 2 of the Speedway to the right. It was pretty cool. For a little while, a road course race had a win by him. Fact of life.