Akinori Ogata Opens K&N Pro Series East Season At Bristol Motor Speedway

Topics:  Akinori Ogata, PittLite 125

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
March 13, 2014

BRISTOL, Tennessee (March 13, 2014) - - Akinori Ogata (@AkinoriOgata) will open up his 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) season by attempting to qualify for Saturday’s PittLite 125 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Ogata, 40, is optimistic about making his NASCAR debut at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile”, but the Kanagawa, Japan native is leaning on organizational changes he’s made during the off-season to pay off in his first race of a limited K&N Pro Series East schedule this season.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to get to Bristol, so I’m hoping for a good result,” said Ogata, who resides in Troutman, North Carolina. “Without hesitation, Bristol will be one of the biggest challenges of my career, but I believe with hard work and utilizing the practices to our advantage, our chances look good for Saturday.”

ENEOS motor oil will return as the primary marketing partner of Ogata’s No. 56 Toyota Camry this weekend. ENEOS Motor Oil provides a line of engine and transmission fluid with both performance eco-friendliness in mind. With their racing heritage and OE pedigree, ENEOS motor oil is redefining the meaning of synthetics.

To assist in his official launch of Akinori Performance, the former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competitor has turned to Tracy Norman to lead his team’s efforts.

“I’ve been very grateful to have a lot of support in my transition to NASCAR, but with Tracy’s leadership, guidance and confidence in me, I feel like he has guided this team in the right direction of having a respectable in our No. 56 run.”

In addition to ENEOS, WPC, WINMAX and WRD will serve as associate marketing partners for the third race of the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season.

Ogata has nine career NKNPSE starts to his credit. He made his debut in 2012 at Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park, the site of his career-best finish of 15th after starting 26th. He also produced a 16th-place effort at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) last year.

The PittLite 125 is set for Saturday, March 15 from the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.” The 125-lap feature will commence shortly after 4:45 p.m. upon the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ Drive To Stop Diabetes 300. The race will be tape-delayed on FOX Sports 1 with an air date of Saturday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern).

For more on Akinori Ogata, please visit AkinoriOgata.com.

Ogata tweets too, follow him @AkinoriOgata.

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