Japanese have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Americans. It makes sense that they have historically not always had a positive opinion of Americans, and recent incidents involving American tourists (think of you Logan Paul/Johnny Somali!) will only exacerbate their views. However, there has always been a fascination of some kind with all things American, much like American youth culture occasionally leans toward Japanese culture. Having lived in both America and Japan, the contrasts are quite obvious, and people love contrasts. Everything Japanese is very different from everything American. Big, loud, and slightly obnoxious, direct, a tad confrontational … those are definitely not Japanese traits.
The exact opposite is true, which is why some Japanese people find traditional “Murican” items so appealing. similar to NASCAR! Indeed. The large V8s speeding about in circles at 200+ miles per hour (or, more accurately, 300+ kilometers per hour) pique the interest of certain residents from the country of small, tricky mountain roads. Who would have guessed? The NASCAR Thunder Special was held at Suzuka International, a road course primarily used for Formula 1 races, in 1996 and 1997. Then at Twin Ring Motegi in 1998! In the land of the rising sun, a true oval race! However, why am I telling you all of this? Because, of course, the Tokyo Auto Salon has a NASCAR truck! Here is the WiZ Concept XIX CX-Vision!
This 2017 Mazda CX-5 was converted into a NASCAR truck using its original 2.5-liter, 190 horsepower engine and slushbox. This site shocks me every year. It’s on air suspension, the livery is an hommage to the 787B rotary LeMans racing, and they designed a safety cage and cabin that looks relatively accurate. It truly is something that only Japan could provide!
