Kobayashi, 37, grew to become the primary Japanese driver to run a Cup race in 20 years when he made his debut on the Indianapolis Street Course final 12 months. He began twenty eighth and completed thirty third after being concerned in a couple of incidents throughout the occasion.
The 2021 Le Mans 24 total winner is getting a second begin with 23XI Racing’s No. 50 Toyota crew in subsequent weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas and this time, Kobayashi says he received’t be coming in with such an empty slate.
“My first race final 12 months at Indy, I feel I used to be somewhat bit stunned, however I feel the race went fairly easy. I feel I dropped again within the early stage, and I didn’t get any warning. It was fairly troublesome within the again finish of the sector, however I had nice enjoyable,” he stated Saturday at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
Kamui Kobayashi, 23XI Racing, Toyota Real Elements Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
“I’ve this chance with Mobil 1’s fiftieth anniversary for this chance at COTA. I’m undoubtedly wanting ahead to subsequent week. We’ve had extra preparation. I’ve raced COTA 5 instances already in Formulation 1 and WEC.
“I feel Indy – it was my first time ever racing there, however subsequent week I’ve extra expertise, so undoubtedly wanting ahead to the race.”
Expertise on the observe in addition to having one full race within the Subsequent Gen Cup automotive ought to assist Kobayashi be on firmer floor for his second run on a Cup Sequence street course occasion.
“I feel I realized rather a lot about the way you deal with the automotive and the way the race goes, and the way the race weekend goes,” he stated.
“I feel the second time I can handle myself higher, and I’m placing within the preparation now. I’m spent various time within the simulator. We’ll see.”
As an F1 driver, Kobayashi began 75 races between 2009 and 2014, scoring one podium within the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Nevertheless, he has loved way more success within the sports activities automotive racing world, profitable two FIA World Endurance Championships alongside along with his LM24 triumph. He’s additionally the present crew principal for Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC crew.
A totally new expertise
Kobayashi calls his NASCAR expertise “completely totally different” from racing abroad.
“The entire occasion is a big distinction. My dream was to race NASCAR a very long time in the past. My first race was NASCAR, once I was like 4 years previous. It was an oval race, in order that’s why I used to be dreaming to be right here,” he stated.
“I feel typically we battle in motorsports with the spectator or the fan with an excessive amount of element. I feel Formulation 1, in case you have a look at the championship – I feel one thing we have to study after we go to European races – it’s an excessive amount of element. It’s obscure as a fan.
“While you have a look at NASCAR, it’s less complicated. I do know there’s know-how behind it, however I feel as a motorsport, the followers can perceive what’s making a distinction on the finish of the day. It makes an enormous distinction. I feel there’s extra connectivity from the followers to the drivers.”
Would Kobayashi ever run an oval race?
Kobayashi’s go to Saturday to considered one of NASCAR’s most iconic oval tracks naturally prompted questions whether or not he would sometime give a NASCAR oval a attempt.
“I’ve executed the sim right here. I feel the primary time was 4 years in the past for enjoyable. I didn’t count on this large of a stadium, once I drove within the sim. I didn’t count on how the banking is,” he stated. “From once I regarded on the skin, it’s not like a race observe – it’s one thing you possibly can see like soccer in or one thing like that.
“It’s one thing that I’ve by no means skilled. I feel the largest banking I’ve seen is Daytona. I feel for spectator – there’s something very fascinating about watching the sort of race.”
Requested if he would attempt a Cup race at Bristol, he laughed then stated, “I feel I must begin with a Truck first.”
