Skip to main content
Join
NASCAR Logo

Kamui Kobayashi to make NASCAR debut for 23XI, will race No. 67 car on Indy road course

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•06/07/23•

SamraSource

Kamui Kobayashi
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Prepare yourselves NASCAR, Kamui Kobayashi is coming to the track.

A world renowned driver, Kobayashi will helm the No. 67 for 23XI Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course later this summer. It’s an announcement that has racing fans, both diehard and casual, excited to see how it ends.

Of course, Kobayashi is more than thrilled for the opportunity, as he took to Twitter on Wednesday to share his “dream announcement” with the world.

Toyota was feeling left out of all the pomp and circumstance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so they decided to seize control of the headlines by announcing Kobayashi’s Cup Series debut at the event.

“Left out of the NASCAR celebration at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota used Wednesday at the track to showcase its own stock car program and the upcoming Cup Series debut for one of the top racers in the world,” reported AP Sports. “Kamui Kobayashi will make his NASCAR debut on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with Toyota in August driving for 23XI Racing, the team owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.

“The announcement made Wednesday had several top NASCAR executives in attendance – including chairman Jim France – as Toyota found Le Mans to be the perfect backdrop to spotlight the one-race deal.”

Continuing, Kobayashi elaborated on why he’s so excited for the chance, believing if he performs well that it will open up more opportunities for Japanese drivers like himself.

“It’s my dream, actually,” Kobayashi told The AP. “It’s such a big sport in the United States and racing in Europe, I never had the chance or opportunity to race NASCAR. I think the opportunity will be challenging for myself because it is such a different category.

“But if I have success, I think it will make more opportunities for Japanese drivers. Toyota has been in NASCAR a long time, but there has never been any Japanese drivers for Toyota. That’s also why I say I appreciate this opportunity for myself.”

Over recent seasons, the No. 67 has become a sort of guest car for 23XI Racing. For example, Travis Pastrana got in the seat for the Daytona 500, and it’s been theorized Kurt Busch could run a couple races with the number when he’s cleared and feels comfortable.

But when the No. 67 takes the track with Kamui Kobayashi behind the wheel at Indianapolis, it’ll be a sight to behold. We can’t wait to see it come to fruition later this summer.