The Toyota Mirai is the first-ever fuel cell vehicle to serve as a pace car in an American auto racing event.
Just days after Toyota launched a new series of videos on the Mirai, the Japanese carmaker announced the 2016 Toyota Mirai will pace the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia on Saturday night, April 25.
Toyota Mirai was tested and approved by NASCAR to pace the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race after a test session at at Richmond International Raceway. In the test session, the Mirai met NASCAR’s performance requirements to pace the 400-mile NSCS race.
There is Toyota precedent bringing hybrid and alternative fuel technology to track. The Toyota Camry Hybrid earned praise as the first hybrid vehicle to pace a full NASCAR race when the hybrid vehicle was used for the Coca Cola 600 in May 2009.
Toyota Mirai is powered by hydrogen, refuels in about five minutes and travels up to 300 miles on a full tank. It will arrive first to buyers in California later this year. Pricing is $57,500, or $499 per month over 36 months if purchased on lease, with $3,649 due upon signing.
