WATKINS GLEN, NY - MAY 09: Connor Zilisch 1 JR Motorsports Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet chases down race leader Jesse Love 2 R. Childress Racing Whelen Chevrolet on the final lap of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA OReilly Auto Parts Series on May 09, 2026, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY. Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 09 NASCAR OReilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260509021
WATKINS GLEN, NY - MAY 09: Connor Zilisch 1 JR Motorsports Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet chases down race leader Jesse Love 2 R. Childress Racing Whelen Chevrolet on the final lap of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA OReilly Auto Parts Series on May 09, 2026, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY. Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 09 NASCAR OReilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260509021
It has been years since NASCAR ceased racing at the Motegi track in Japan. But now, the earthquake-struck track is being repurposed for something better.
The speedway was struck by a high-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Due to this natural calamity, parts of the track were severely damaged, with cracks appearing on the track. The oval has since been abandoned, with only one MotoGP race per year.
However, earlier this week a report by the Japanese media suggested that the track is being repurposed into a spectator and camping area.
The Twin Ring Motegi was built by Honda as part of their initiative to get IndyCar to Japan. However, the track has been used by other divisions of motorsports as well. In 1998, NASCAR hosted its first and last exhibition race at the 1.549-mile-long oval.
During the 1998 exhibition, the Richard Childress Racing driver Mike Skinner led 94 laps to take victory. While this was the last time the Cup Series raced at the oval, the ARCA Menards Series last raced at the speedway in 1999. The race was won by Kevin Richards.
After NASCAR and IndyCar stopped hosting races at Motegi, Honda had limited resources and could only maintain the track. Over the years, the oval has been used as a parking lot when it does not host any races.
This big change marks the end of an era for the Twin Ring at Motegi.
NASCAR’s global push gains momentum as drivers back international expansion
Japan was not the first time NASCAR raced internationally. In fact, NASCAR first raced on foreign soil back in 1952 when they ran the Grand National division in Ontario, Canada.
During the 2025 season the series made its journey down to Mexico City, where the Cup Series and the Xfinity Series raced on the same weekend. However, the series might be eyeing more international races.
While talking to NASCAR.com, NASCAR Vice President and Chief International Officer Chad Seigler said, “We kind of look at our international focus from three silos.”
He further explained, “We have the individual series and our philosophy has always been, we know we can’t take the Cup Series and have it travel around like Formula One does, so if we can go into a market and create local stars, local heroes, local team owners, local track infrastructure, that’s good for us.”
Many of the drivers have supported the idea of going international, as it will give them a chance to race on their home soil.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Arundhoti Palit