Akinori Ogata Bio: Career, Wife, Sons, Crash, Net Worth and Charity
Akinori Ogata is a Japanese professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 46 Toyota Tundra for G2G Racing.
His fascination with speed started when his uncle took him to Speedway at age ten.
Soon, he started racing motocross in Japan in 1987, winning 30 feature races.
After a successful career in motocross, he switched to dirt track racing and quickly proved his skills by winning a quarter midget race at Twin Ring Motegi.
In 2003, Ogata commenced his racing journey in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock category. He also took part in racing events held at Concord Motorsports Park.
The 50-years old made his NASCAR debut in the K&N Pro Series East in 2012, two years after he moved to Mooresville, North Carolina.
“Moving to North Carolina was hard, because we honestly didn’t know anybody here. `I could not speak any English, and it was difficult to understand what other people were saying. My English is much better now, but it was so hard when we first moved here.”
Ogata had 12 starts in the Series over three years, finishing five top-20 with a best record of 16th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
A couple of years later, he debuted in the Camping World Truck Series in 2014, driving for Win-Tron Racing.
He has run 14 races in eight years, finishing 48th as his best in the 2015 NASCAR Camping Truck Series.
MBM Motorsports announced he would join the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 66 Toyota Camry in 2018.
Over three years, he ran five races piloting for Jimmy Means Racing and B.J. McLeod Motorsports, besides MBM.
Since arriving in the US in 2003, Akinori Ogata has always dreamt of winning on American soil.
After decades of hard work and dedication, he finally achieved his dream, winning at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Limited Late Model division (April 2022).
Ogata acknowledged that adapting to racing in the United States would be challenging without the help of individuals like Billy Larrimore, his first crew chief in 2003, and Zach McDaniels, his current crew chief.
Akinori Ogata’s Wife & Children
Ogata is married to his wife Eniko. The couple has been together for almost three decades.
As per his Twitter, they tied the knot back in 1994 and have already completed their twenty-ninth marriage anniversary in June.
Together, they share two children, Ken and Ryo.
Little is known about his older son, Ken; however, his younger son is a graduate of Toyota Technical College and is around 23 years old.
He joined the college in April 2019 and graduated in March 2023 after four years.
Just like his father, Ryo also enjoys racing. Ogata wishes to race with his son and fully supports him if he wants to take racing as a career choice.
As of 2024, his family lives in Japan, while Ogata resides in Mooresville, where he pursues his NASCAR racing career.
Akinori Ogata’s Truck And Legends Car Stolen
In December 2016, a thief broke into Ogata’s garage in Mooresville and stole his pickup truck and a trailer holding his younger son’s Legends car, collectively valued at $80,000.
His white Ford F-350 was connected to a 28-foot-long trailer. And inside the trailer was Ryo’s No. 14 Legends car.
Talking to FOX 46, he said,
It’s very sad. I came here six years ago from Japan with nothing. No equipment, no friends. My stuff is all gone so I cannot work on the car.
The theft was a major setback for Ogata, as he couldn’t move the cars in his shop.
He was forced to cancel several races while he waited for the truck and Legends car to be replaced.
The police were called to the scene but could not find the culprit.
Akinori Ogata’s Crash And Challenges In NASCAR
Ogata’s truck caught fire during practice for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2023.
The truck was engulfed in flames, and Ogata was forced to evacuate.
NASCAR officials said that the fire first started in the engine compartment.
Speaking to the media after the race, Ogata said,
“I don’t know exactly what happened, but somebody told me the oil line broke. Then they started to catch fire at Three before we hit the wall. But I thought about it, cut tire or something at Three. I’m uncontrolled at the track and it hit the wall and it catches fire there.”
In March, the Japanese driver also crashed during the 2023 Fr8 208 NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
He was running in the middle of the pack when he lost control of his truck and spun down the backstretch.
He fell in the 21st place as the truck came to rest on the apron. But he returned to the track and eventually finished the race in 26th place.
Another incident occurred between Josh Reaume and Ogata on May 6, 2022.
The two were battling for the 34th position at Darlington Raceway when they made contact in Turn 2, causing Ogata to spin out.
Akinori Ogata’s Philanthropic Work to Help Japan
Ogata initiated a ‘Help Japan Sponsorship Proposal,’ a marketing plan to raise funds for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami victims through his sponsorship.
However, the proposal did not successfully raise the estimated amount of money. But, it did raise awareness of the cause, which helped to support the relief efforts in Japan.
Likewise, he took the initiative to arrange a racing fundraiser aimed at aiding the individuals in Japan who were persevering through the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.
Scheduled for October 21, the event took place at The Pit Indoor Kart Racing, located in Mooresville.
Participating families were invited to utilize the facility for a nominal fee of $15, with the entirety of the proceeds being channeled as donations through the Japanese Red Cross and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta.
Akinori Ogata, alongside Revae Bostwick, joined WBTV News, shedding light on the profound significance behind organizing this event and the reasons that compelled them to do so.
Akinori Ogata’s Net Worth
Ogata is yet to reveal his net worth and how much he earns. However, his career history, sponsorship deals, and merchandise suggest that he might have accumulated a net worth between $1 to $5 million as of 2024.
His sponsorships include Kyowa-Eidemiller, Precision Kyowa, Diaedge, Shinano Pneumatic Tools, Moon Equipped, New River Building Supply, Goodland, and Hirotec.
For the 2023 season, he is sponsored by a technology-oriented manufacturer of commercial facade systems and residential doors and windows, YKK AP America.
Likewise, he has his racing gear merchandise that sells diecast model cars, t-shirts, and hats as well.
Previously, Ogata was supported by his longtime marketing partner, ENEOS, a Japanese oil company.
The company believed he had the potential to be a great driver. That is why they were committed to supporting his journey in NASCAR.
Interesting Facts
- Ogata arrived in the United States from his home country, Japan, in 2003 to become a successful NASCAR driver.
- He is the first Japanese driver to win a race in a NASCAR national series and the Limited Late Model division at Hickory Motor Speedway on April 10, 2022.
- He owned a NASCAR hobby shop near Tokyo in 1997.
- Ogata was on his honeymoon in the United States when he realized it was time to pursue his dream of racing in the Daytona 500.
- In April 2023, Akinori Ogata was featured in the documentary ‘Never Give Up: Akinori Mooresville’ by filmmaker Royce Akifumi Wilot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Akinori Ogata Have a wife?
Ogata is a married man with two adult children.
Which car does Akinori Ogata drive?
Akinori Ogata drives the No. 46 Toyota Tundra for G2G Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
When did Akinori Ogata debut in the NASCAR Truck Series?
Ogata joined the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in November 2014 at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway.
