It was announced that 13 drivers have committed to participate in the second annual NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special 100 on 11/23/97 in Suzuka City, Japan. The event again will be televised live in the United States by SuperStation TBS(Boo, I don’t get it). Last years race featured 23 NASCAR drivers as well as four Japanese drivers. The series of three NASCAR demonstration races will take place over a three-year period. The list of drivers confirmed to participate in the event to date are as follows: From Winston Cup: Ricky Craven, Wally Dallenbach, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott(Not Going), Jeff Gordon, David Green, Ernie Irvan(?), Dale Jarrett(Not Going), Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin(Not Going), Mark Martin, Morgan Shepherd(?), Mike Skinner, Rusty Wallace and Michael Waltrip. From the BGN series: Randy LaJoie. From the Craftsman Truck series: Rick Carelli, Kenny Irwin,Jr and Jay Sauter. From the Winston West series: Gary Collins, Kevin Culver, Scott Gaylord, Butch Gilliland, John Kinder, Larry Gunselman, Gary Smith and Sean Woodside. And Japanese drivers: Hideo Fukuyama, Akihiko Naakaya, Keiichi Tsuchiya and Kazuteru Wakida. These are invatations only, the teams and drivers do not have to go and not sure what happens if Ernie Irvan or any other driver loeaves the current team before the Japan race(7-20-97)
