By Vincent Delforge, Special to Kickin’ the Tires
Japanese driver Takuma Koga has been a regular in the NASCAR West Series (now the ARCA Menards West Series) since his debut in 2002 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA. After entering the “Club of 100” at the end of 2022, that is, the club of drivers who have made 100 or more starts in the West Series (ranking led by the late Jack Sellers with 282 races), he has just broken a new record during the last race held at Tri-City Raceway in West Richland, WA, on August 10.
What is this record? He simply became the foreign (non-American) driver who has made the most races in the West Series with 122 starts. Breaking the previous record set on March 22, 2014 by Canadian Daryl Harr with 121 races.
And to think that Koga could have broken this record much earlier if he had not put his NASCAR career on hold between 2006 and 2016.
There have always been foreign drivers in the West Series. Of the 2,000 or so drivers who have taken part in at least one race since the inception of the series in 1954, there are 108 foreign drivers of 16 different nationalities. The first being Canadian Allen Heath, on May 30, 1954 in Gardena, California, during the second race in the history of the series. The 108th and last to date being Mexican Andres Perez de Lara at the Bullring in Las Vegas on November 14, 2022.
Unsurprisingly, Canadians, thanks to geographical proximity, are the most numerous with 49 drivers. Australia is the second nation with 11 representatives and the podium is completed by Japan with eight drivers including Takuma Koga. The other Japanese drivers being Hideo Fukuyama, Motohiro Nakaji, Manabu Orido, Kazuto Saito, Keiichi Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Ueno and Kazuteru Wakida.
Takuma Koga West Series stats
Born: March 16, 1977 – Home: Nagoya, Japan
| Year | Age | Races | Win | T5 | T10 | Pole | Laps | Led | Rank | AvSt | AvFn | RAF | LLF | DNQ | WD |
| 2002 | 25 | 2 of 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 358 | 0 | 33 | 14.0 | 15.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 26 | 4 of 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 374 | 0 | 24 | 23.5 | 21.3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 27 | 3 of 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 428 | 0 | 25 | 20.3 | 18.7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 28 | 11 of 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1162 | 0 | 14 | 21.4 | 20.4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 29 | 5 of 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 345 | 0 | 22 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 39 | 4 of 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 265 | 0 | 24 | 20.8 | 18.3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 40 | 14 of 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1864 | 0 | 13 | 18.8 | 16.2 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 41 | 14 of 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1634 | 0 | 9 | 15.9 | 15.5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 42 | 14 of 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1625 | 0 | 8 | 14.1 | 14.0 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 43 | 11 of 11 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1145 | 0 | 7 | 12.0 | 11.4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 44 | 9 of 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 996 | 0 | 8 | 15.7 | 13.1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 45 | 11 of 11 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1160 | 0 | 6 | 13.0 | 13.1 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 46 | 12 of 12 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1440 | 0 | 9 | 16.1 | 13.5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 47 | 8 of 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 972 | 0 | 8 | 15.0 | 12.9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 years | 122 | 0 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 13768 | 0 | 16.6 | 15.3 | 88 | 19 | 3 | 0 | ||
Here are two articles/interviews previously published on Kickin’ The Tires concerning Takuma Koga that I invite you to read or reread:
The one on his 100th race: www.kickinthetires.net/nascar/arca-series/west-series-japanese-driver-takuma-kogas-100th-career-race/
And the one about his 20-year career: www.kickinthetires.net/nascar/arca-series/takuma-koga-20-years-in-the-west-series-kickin-the-tires/
We were able to ask Takuma Koga a few questions about this record, but before giving you his interview, here are some statistics about foreign drivers in the West Series:
Number of foreign drivers = 108 (Most recent: Andres Perez de Lara (Mexico) – 10/14/2022 = race n°1003)
First foreign driver = Allen Heath (Canada) (05/30/1954 = race n°2)
First top 10 by a foreign driver = Allen Heath (Canada) (01/01/1957 = race n°56)
First top 5 by a foreign driver = Norm Ellefson (Canada) (06/30/1973 = race n°344)
First pole by a foreign driver = Roy Smith (Canada) (06/30/1976 = race n°408)
Most pole by a foreign driver = 12 – Roy Smith (Canada)
First win by a foreign driver = George Stuart (Canada) (06/29/1977 = race n°428)
Most wins by a foreign driver = 15 – Roy Smith (Canada)
Most top 5 by a foreign driver = 48 – Roy Smith (Canada)
Most top 10 by a foreign driver = 67 – Roy Smith (Canada)
Most races by a foreign driver = 122 Takuma Koga (Japan) ; 121 Daryl Harr (Canada) ; 109 – Roy Smith (Canada)
Most foreign drivers in a single race = 6 – Mutiple times
Most different nationalities in a single race = 5 Multiple times
Best driver standings by a foreign driver = Champion – Roy Smith (Canada) (4 times in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1988)
Number of different nationalities = 16 (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, England, Finland, France, Italia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Scottland, Sweden)
Top 3 countries with the most drivers = Canada (49) ; Australia (11) ; Japan (8)
Vincent Delforge: Takuma, what a journey you have made since your first race at Evergreen in 2002. Would you have imagined that 22 years later you would still be here in the West Series?
Takuma Koga: ‘I never imagined this at all. I was supposed to have ended my racing career after the 2006 season. I am lucky to still be immersed in the world of ‘Days of Thunder,’ which I first saw in a Japanese movie theater during my summer vacation when I was 12. I am truly grateful for everyone that has supported me.’
VD: You are very popular with Japanese fans, but also American and other fans. You just have to see the excitement during the autograph sessions. Are you aware of your popularity? That today, a West Series race without Takuma Koga is hard to imagine?
TK: ‘It truly means a lot to me to hear that I am popular with fans from Japan, America, and around the world. I’m always thrilled to see the excitement and enthusiasm during autograph sessions—it’s incredibly rewarding and inspiring. Honestly, I never take this popularity for granted. The support from fans has been a major driving force throughout my career. To hear that a West Series race without me is hard to imagine is both humbling and motivating. It makes me even more determined to give my best and continue doing what I love. I am deeply grateful for the continued support and hope to keep making memorable moments on track for everyone.’
VD: A nice photo with all the drivers. And in addition to the West Series regulars, there was a NASCAR star with Greg Biffle. Racing with big names in NASCAR, does that add to the pleasure?
TK: ‘It was a fantastic experience to share the track with a NASCAR star like Greg Biffle, especially since he was already a big name in the sport at the time.’
VD: What media impact did this record have on Japanese racing fans?
TK: “The media impact of this record on Japanese racing fans has been very positive. There is a dedicated community of NASCAR enthusiasts in Japan. Their support is greatly appreciated. I value the support I receive and remain focused on continuing my efforts on the track. I would like to say that I am the second most famous NASCAR driver, in Japan, second to Tom Cruise!”
VD: What feeling did you feel when you started the race? Pride? Grateful to your sponsors for supporting you during all these years and without whom nothing would be possible?
TK: “I felt a sense of destiny setting this record in Washington state. I am profoundly grateful to all who supported me despite my humble beginnings.
- PSP Inc’s Kenichi Uchikura and Northwest Racing’s Chris for giving me my first Stock Car opportunity.
- MIDGLEY RACING’s Dick, Judy, and the Midgley family for their generosity and support when my wife Ai and I needed it most.
- JOHN KREBS RACING’s John Krebs for his strict yet warm guidance upon my return to racing.
- Performance P-1 Motorsports’ Joe Nava for always encouraging me with humor.
- JERRY PITTS RACING’s Jerry Pitts for teaching me professionalism and resilience.
- NASCAR’s Becky McBride for helping me find a team for my NASCAR comeback.
- MOTOR RACING OUTREACH’s Bob and Kathy Butcher for their ongoing support and reassurance.
I also want to thank all the officials, drivers, crew, spotter Hiro, photographer Take, my family, and all the fans who have supported me along the way.”
VD: Speaking of the race, nice qualifying session but right from the start, you lost positions. What happened?
TK: “The issues that had been affecting my performance since Irwindale were resolved in the practice session before TriCity, so I was back to my usual speed in qualifying. However, I lost many positions at the start due to a miss with the setup.”
VD: You already had the opportunity in 2001 to race on the Tri-City Raceway in the NASCAR Northwest Series. The winner Tyler Reif said that it was one of the most physically difficult tracks he has raced on. Do you confirm that this tri-oval is a real challenge for both the car setup and the driver?
TK: “Yes, I would agree with Tyler Reif’s assessment. While the layout of Tri-City Raceway may resemble a road course to me, it presents significant challenges. The tri-oval demands precise car setup and endurance from the driver. The physical demands of the track, combined with the need for careful adjustment of the car, make it a tough challenge. My training helps me manage the physical strain, but it’s always a demanding race for both the car and the driver.”
VD: I wrote an article about you when you reached the 100-race mark in your career. Now you are entering even more into the history of the West Series because your record for the most races (122) for a foreign driver will be difficult to match and even more difficult to surpass. How many would you like to increase it to? To 150 races? To 200 races?
TK: “Reaching the 100-race mark was a significant milestone for me, and it’s an honor to have set a record with 122 races as a foreign driver in the West Series. While I’m proud of this achievement, my focus is now shifting to my next dream: seeing my son Eiki race in the series. If I can continue to compete and further increase the record, I would be thrilled. Whether it’s reaching 150 or even 200 races, I’m motivated by the challenge and by the opportunity to inspire others. But ultimately, my greatest joy will come from supporting Eiki as he begins his own racing journey.”
VD: Canadian Daryl Harr held the record with 121 races. You raced against him 19 times between 2003 and 2006. But you only beat him once in a race, at Pikes Peak in 2005. Was he a tough opponent? Do you remember a particular anecdote in the race between him and you?
TK: “Daryl Harr was indeed a tough competitor but my focus during that period was heavily on securing sponsors. I don’t recall many specific details about our battles, I do know that competing against someone with his skill made every race a significant challenge.”
VD: Next race at Madera on September 28th. Do you like this bullring? What is your goal for this race?
TK: “I love short tracks. My goal is to aim for a top-five finish.”
VD: 2024 is a complicated season with three top-10s so far. The first was obtained in Portland. A track where you hold another record in the West Series. You are the only driver to have managed to achieve five top 10s in a row. What is your secret to always be successful on this road track?
TK: “Portland has been a great track for me because of my focus on preparation and adapting to its unique layout. I work closely with my team to set up the car properly and use my experience to stay consistent. It’s all about paying attention to the track’s details and making smart adjustments during the race.”
VD: Can you already confirm that we will have the chance to see you again in 2025 in the West Series?
TK: “It’s still undecided, but I want to continue the challenge.”
VD: To finish a difficult question. If you had to dig into your memory, what would be your most incredible memory concerning your career in the West Series?
TK: “In 2005, when the throttle got stuck at Stockton and I crashed into the wall at full speed, then the car caught fire, it was the first time I truly faced the reality of death.”
Takuma Koga is currently eighth in the championship with three top-10 finishes. He and all of his West Series colleagues will be back on September 28th at Madera Speedway in Madera, CA for the “West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150”. A race that will be broadcast live on FloRacing.