Fans Give NASCAR Flack for Ignoring Jimmie Johnson’s International Exhibition

For most of his career, Jimmie Johnson has been defined by a willingness to chase challenges far outside the comfort zone of a seven-time NASCAR champion. Even after stepping away from full-time Cup racing, he never slowed down. IndyCar, IMSA endurance races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and major international showcases have all become part of his second act.

That push to explore new horizons has now taken him farther than most NASCAR fans ever expected: Japan’s Super Taikyu Series. But this year’s finale at Fuji Speedway is hosting something completely out of its traditional DNA, a full demonstration run of NASCAR stock cars, led by Johnson himself.

Yet in the midst of this landmark crossover, there’s a strange twist: NASCAR itself has barely mentioned it. And that silence has become the s