Akinori Ogata's truck bursts into flames during Truck Series practice at North Wilkesboro
As the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice was going on, Akinori Ogata’s G2G Racing Toyota Tundra burst into flames and then made contact with the wall. There was nothing the Japanese driver could have done to save his No. 46 Tundra. Between the flames and the contact, it was a lot of damage.
Watching the moment with Akinori Ogata was scary. He is a part-time Truck Series driver and his opportunities are far and few between. As a Hickory Motor Speedway regular, Ogata is familiar with stock car racing. His 46 truck just had a systemic failure at North Wilkesboro.
Looks like an oil line came apart and sent flames and fluid flying all over. Ogata was able to get out of the truck after coming to a stop on the track. His truck burned up quickly and it was clear he wouldn’t be able to race in that truck.
You hate it not just for Akinori Ogata, but also for his team. When a truck gets used up like that, in practice of all places, it is always disappointing. After he was released from the care center, Ogata explained what happened. He lost control of the truck, likely due to the oil or fluid flying around and spraying his tires, and just had no control over the flames, of course.
Just an incredibly difficult way for your day to end.
Akinori Ogata makes his own path in NASCAR
Stock car racing has a way of taking hold of racers and never letting go. Akinori Ogata is one of those drivers. Ever since the former motocross driver made his way to quarter midgets on the dirt, it has been a path to NASCAR. Not only is he the first Japanese driver to win at Hickory Motor Speedway, but he’s also been giving it his best shot in the lower NASCAR ranks.
Earlier this season in the Craftsman Truck Series, Ogata earned a career-best finish of P17 at Atlanta. This was the next step in his path in NASCAR. However, I’m not sure we will see a backup truck from G2G Racing. It would be great if they were able to compete, though.
The next chance Akinori Ogata has at a NASCAR race is at Atlanta Motor Speedway this July. That will be an Xfinity Series start where he will once again try his hand at making the big event and earning another top-20 finish.
Right now, that is his only NASCAR national series event on the schedule after this. Again, far and few between, seeing Ogata end his North Wilkesboro weekend during practice is tough. Hopefully, he and the team can rebound from this.