Takuma Koga: Nagoya, Japan to NASCAR | Interview
Takuma Koga currently sits fifth in the ARCA Menards Series Championship standings with six races left in the season. Impressive as his points position may be, it remains only a facet across his entire racing career and a testament to his passion.
Koga’s journey to the big stage of NASCAR began as an uphill battle. Growing up in Nagoya, Japan, there weren’t too many opportunities for stock-car racing — even for a kid who loved the Days of Thunder movie. Koga’s only chances for development were go-karts and formula racing.
However, in 1996, NASCAR would make its debut in Japan through an exhibition event at Suzuka Circuit for 19-year-old Koga to witness. Unfortunately, NASCAR would only sanction two more exhibition races before ending the experiment in 1998 due to immense logistical expenses.
Nonetheless, In 2002, Takuma would land his first start in America for Midgley Racing in the NASCAR Winston West Series (now the ARCA Menards Series West). He’d continue to make starts before taking a hiatus following the 2006 season.
He’d return to ARCA Menards Series West racing in 2016, before eventually making his ARCA Menards [National] Series debut in 2020. Finally, this year in 2026, Koga finds himself running a full-time schedule for Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing in the NASCAR ARCA Menards [National] Series. As of today, Takuma Koga holds the record for most starts by a foreign-born driver in the history of the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series West.
Off the race track, Takuma’s humility showed in our email exchanges. When working on coordinating the interview below, Takuma was very accommodating to the 10-hour time difference that separates us and him on a week-to-week basis. The dedication required to handle such a demanding schedule, while remaining committed to his family, especially his son Eiki — who is navigating his own American stock-car racing journey — is nothing short of remarkable. Though he was initially cautious to participate in this interview on account of English not being his first language, his tenacity to study, prepare, and communicate makes him a NASCAR driver of the highest character.
Interviewer: Reid Scearce
1. Can you tell us how your racing career began? As a kid growing up in Nagoya, Japan, what made you want to become a race car driver?
Takuma Toga: “There was a tire shop across the street from the house where I grew up, and they had a formula car there. The moment they removed the small steering wheel and let me sit in the cockpit, I decided I was going to become a racer.”
2. You have said that watching Days of Thunder and NASCAR exhibition races in Japan inspired you to race stock cars. What made stock car racing stand out to you, in particular?
Takuma Toga: “I was 12 years old when I watched the movie, which was also around the time I got my go-kart license. It was through the movie that I first learned that NASCAR combined everything I loved — American hot-rod rock ’n’ roll and racing. It was such a shock to me that I realized NASCAR was the only path for me.”
3. When you first came to the United States, what was the biggest challenge in adapting to the language, the culture, and a new style of racing?
Takuma Toga: “My first overseas trip was for a race, so the language was definitely challenging. As for the culture and racing style, I’m always learning, but I came to America because I love American culture, so I haven’t found that difficult.”
4. Throughout your career, several people have helped and supported you. Who has had the biggest influence on your career, and what have you learned from them?
Takuma Toga: “It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one person, but I’m grateful to every team owner, crew member, and official who has been involved in my racing career.”
5. You continue to live in Japan while racing in the United States. What has that experience been like, and how do you stay healthy and prepare your body while traveling so much between the two countries?
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Takuma Toga: “This year, I joined the ARCA National Series, and because there are so many races, I also rent an apartment in Charlotte. My family lives in Japan, so whenever there is more than a week between races, I return to Japan. I do my best to minimize jet lag by maintaining a regular daily routine, and I basically cook all of my meals myself and pay close attention to my diet.”
6. You have also worked as a NASCAR commentator for Japanese fans. Has that experience changed the way you look at racing or helped you as a driver?
Takuma Toga: “I only do commentary when I’m back in Japan, but by commentating on Cup Series races, I’ve once again been amazed not only by the techniques of the Cup drivers, but also by the strength of their mentality. Through my commentary, I also want to continue sharing the greatness of NASCAR with people in Japan.”
7. What was the biggest adjustment when you moved from racing in Japan to racing stock cars in the United States?
Takuma Toga: “Spotter racing took the longest time for me to adapt to. It wasn’t a language issue; I struggled because I had no experience in Japan with judging the spacing and timing needed to maintain the proper distance from other cars.”
8. Last season, in the ARCA East Series, you earned a career-best third-place finish at Flat Rock Speedway. What made that race such a strong performance for you and your team?
Takuma Toga: “I was already good at short-track racing, but the team prepared an amazing hot rod, and we were able to attack aggressively as one team.”
9. This year, you are competing in your first full ARCA national schedule with Fast Track Racing. What have you learned so far this season, and how has working with Andy Hillenburg helped you improve as a driver?
Takuma Toga: “I respect Andy as my lifelong mentor. Of course, I’m learning driving techniques from Andy’s long racing career, but he also inspires me to become the kind of person who is respected by everyone, just like Andy.”
10. Besides driving, you’re also a bit of an entrepreneur, and you used to develop your own racing simulators. Can you tell us a little bit about your business and how you ran your company?
Takuma Toga: “I sold the simulator business three years ago. Now, through my racing activities, I support Japanese companies that are expanding into the United States. I’m working every day to become a bridge of friendship between companies in Japan and the United States, using American motorsports as a starting point.”
11. Next week, you head to Springfield to race at the Illinois Stage Fairgrounds. What are your goals for that race, and what are you looking forward to most?
Takuma Toga: “I love dirt-track racing, so even though it has been a while, I’m aiming for a top-five finish.”
12. What do you enjoy most about racing in NASCAR? Do you have a favorite track to race at?
Takuma Toga: “I love competing at high speed! My favorite racetrack is Daytona. A big part of that is because it has always been a track I’ve dreamed of racing at.”
13. Looking ahead, what goals do you still hope to accomplish in your racing career?
Takuma Toga: “I want to win an ARCA race with Fast Track Racing.”
14. What message would you like to share with your fans in both Japan and the United States?
Takuma Toga: “I am truly, truly grateful to everyone who always supports my racing. I will continue working hard to serve as a bridge of friendship between the United States and Japan through racing. Thank you for your continued support.”
