Akinori Ogata, a seasoned Japanese NASCAR driver, has been plying his craft in the world of racing for many years. His journey began in the realm of quarter midgets and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock. He progressed to the K&N Pro Series East in 2012, when he was 39 years old. Since that time, he has intermittently participated in the ARCA Series, Truck and Xfinity Series.
Now at the age of 51, Ogata is still a vibrant competitor in the Truck Series. The most recent development in his career is the establishment of his own team, Akinori Performance. The team was founded on February 7th of this year, with plans to make their racing debut at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. However, these plans were put on hold due to the unpreparedness of their #63 Toyota truck.
Despite this setback, Ogata remains optimistic. He took to social media to reassure his followers, stating, “Hey guys, I’m Akinori Ogata. I was planning to debut a race with my own equipment last weekend, but the Truck wasn’t ready in time. So I was so disappointed in myself, because I didn’t make the race. I think it was the right decision, because I want to go race, prepared. So we rescheduled for Homestead-Miami on March 21st. My Kyowa Industrial, YKK AP Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, is looking good. We believe our Truck will work rather well on the track, so we keep working on track. I’m looking forward to race in Miami. Thank you so much, all over the sport. I go Late Model race this weekend at the Hickory Motor Speedway season opener. My car is ready and looking good too.”
Ogata’s statement reflects his determination to not rush the process, and to ensure everything is in place before making his team’s debut. Fans will now have to wait until March 31st to see the #63 Truck in action. Ogata’s best finish to date was 17th place at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2023, a track he longed to debut at but sadly, it wasn’t to be.
The Akinori Performance truck will now debut at Homestead Miami, meaning Ogata will miss the Las Vegas race but will compete in the subsequent round. Sharing driving duties with Ogata is 45-year-old Kenko Miura, another seasoned racer from Japan, who last competed in 2022 with Reaume Brothers Racing.
In preparation for his return to NASCAR, Ogata is competing in several Late Model races. He is particularly excited about the Hickory Motor Speedway race, a track where he made history as the first Japanese driver to win a race.
As the countdown begins, Ogata and his team are working tirelessly to ensure they are ready to compete. Ogata has made it clear that he is not just there to make up the numbers, but to be a strong contender in the races. When it’s Miura’s turn at the wheel, he is expected to bring his A-game and be as competitive as possible.
Despite the initial disappointment of a delayed team debut, Ogata’s optimism and tenacity shine through. His resilience is a testament to his passion for the sport and his determination to succeed. The racing world is eagerly watching to see what Akinori Ogata and his team will bring to the track.