This is a list of drivers with nationalities from Asian countries to compete in at least one NASCAR event in its top three national series (Cup, NOAPS, Truck).
The first Asian driver to compete in a NASCAR national series event was Toshio Suzuki, when he competed in one 1996 Busch Series race. The first Asian driver to compete in NASCAR's top series (Cup Series) was Hideo Fukuyama at the 2002 MBNA Platinum 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Shigeaki Hattori, the third Asian driver to race in a national series event, later went on to become a team owner at Hattori Racing Enterprises, which would win the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. Narain Karthikeyan was the first Indian driver to compete in a national series, who competed part time in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season between stints in Formula One.
Kyle Larson, the 2021 and 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of 32 NASCAR Cup races, is a Japanese American. In 2016, Ryan Ellis became the first Japanese American to race in a Toyota manufactured Cup series car, which is a Japan-based company and only current foreign NASCAR manufacturer.
Active drivers
Active drivers from Asian countries These drivers have competed in at least one NCS, NOAPS, or NCTS event in 2025. Statistics accurate as of July 14, 2026.
+DriverImageCountryCurrent team and seriesTotal national series startsTotal national series winsNCS startsNCS winsNOAPS startsNOAPS winsNCTS startsNCTS winsAlon Day Israel Israel is geographically located in the Levant, a subregion of West Asia.O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (part-time) No. 24, Sam Hunt Racing80204020Takuma Koga JapanO'Reilly Auto Parts Series (part-time) No. 35, Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen10001000Akinori Ogata JapanTruck Series (part-time) No. 63, Akinori Performance27000100170
Active drivers who are Asian Americans
DriverImageHome stateCountry of ancestryCurrent team and seriesTotal national series startsTotal national series winsNCS startsNCS winsNOAPS startsNOAPS winsNCTS startsNCTS winsRyan Ellis California JapanO'Rielly Auto Parts Series No. 02 Young's Motorsports2170601850260Kyle Larson California JapanCup Series No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports553554133212319174
"Top national series starts/wins" is the accumulation of starts/wins in the top three national series, and does not include any ARCA Menards Series participations.
Inactive and retired drivers
Inactive and retired drivers from Asian countries These drivers have either retired or have not competed in a NCS, NOAPS, or NCTS event since 2024.
+DriverCountryFirst year activeLast year activeTotal national series startsTotal national series winsNCS startsNCS winsNOAPS startsNOAPS winsNCTS startsNCTS winsBest career race finish (if no wins)Hideo Fukuyama Japan200220034040000033rd (NCS, 2002)Shigeaki Hattori Japan20042005100000010024th (NTS, 2005)Ed JonesJones is a British citizen who was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. He has competed under the flags of both countries throughout his career. United Arab Emirates20232024600050105th (NOAPS, 2024)Narain Karthikeyan India201020109000009011th (NTS, 2010)Kamui Kobayashi Japan202320242020000029th (NCS, 2024)Kenko Miura Japan202220241000001033rd (NTS, 2022)Toshio Suzuki Japan199619961000100033rd (NOAPS, 1996)
"Top national series starts/wins" is the accumulation of starts/wins in the top three national series, and does not include any ARCA Menards Series participations.
See also List of foreign-born NASCAR race winners List of female NASCAR drivers List of African-American NASCAR drivers List of Canadian NASCAR drivers List of Hispanic and Latin American NASCAR drivers
References