NASCAR: 23XI Racing confirm new driver for upcoming race
By Asher Fair
23XI Racing have confirmed that Kamui Kobayashi is set to drive their third car in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
The Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing NASCAR Cup Series team have expanded since entering the sport as a one-car team with the No. 23 Toyota back in the 2021 season.
They added a second full-time car in 2022, the No. 45 Toyota, and they added a third car for this year’s season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Travis Pastrana joined full-time drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick and drove the No. 67 Toyota to an 11th place finish after locking into the race on speed and starting 40th out of 40 cars.
For just the second time this season, 23XI Racing are set to run three cars in an upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race.
The No. 67 Toyota is set to return at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.
Former Formula 1 driver, two-time FIA World Endurance Championship champion, and 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Kamui Kobayashi is set to make his Cup Series — and his overall NASCAR — debut in this event behind the wheel of the No. 67 Toyota.
The Japanese road course ace has been a Toyota driver for several years, having driven for Toyota Gazoo Racing en route to his two World Endurance Championship titles and his 24 Hours of Le Mans win two years ago.
Only four Japanese drivers have ever competed in NASCAR, and only one, Hideo Fukuyama, has ever competed in the Cup Series. Fukuyama made four starts in the series back in 2002 and 2003. Fukuyama, however, competed for Ford, meaning that Kobayashi is set to become the first Japanese driver to compete for the Japanese manufacturer.
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The Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is set to be broadcast live on NBC from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 13. Start a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any upcoming NASCAR Cup Series action!