Ex-Formula 1 racer Kobayashi added his name to the growing list of international racers to try their hand at NASCAR in recent times when he joined Toyota squad 23XI Racing for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard in August, finishing in 33rd place.
In doing so, the current Toyota World Endurance Championship and Super Formula racer became the first Japanese driver to contest a Cup race since Hideo Fukuyama in 2003.
