Toyota releases wild (and unhinged) NASCAR-themed ad in Japan

Toyota Gazoo Racing has released quite the commercial, but it’s unlikely you’ve seen it unless you live in the island nation of Japan. The video, which has amassed 2.4 million views on YouTube at the time of writing this story, takes the viewer on quite the chaotic journey.

It begins with a NASCAR race and generic stock cars digitally added. Racing around Bristol Motor Speedway in what appears to be wet conditions (which would be terrifying in real life), the ad begins. With some upbeat music playing, the cars race on. As for what happens next, well, you’re just going to have to watch the video. It’s hard to properly capture in words alone, but there’s giant toys falling from the sky, Chinook helicopters, cars crashing, a distressed flagman, and a McDonald’s-sponsored Toyota Supra safety car saving the day.

The caption on the video describes the chaotic scene as follows (translated from Japanese to English): “In the middle of a heated race, a giant toy suddenly falls down! Racing machines in chaos. Will the safety car be able to overcome this unprecedented crisis and proceed with the race safely?” 

So what in the world was this amazingly weird ad about? Well, it was to announce the return of the McDonald’s ‘Tomica’ Happy Meal in Japan, featuring a diecast car from Tomica in every order. One of the diecast cars that will be made available is none other than the bright yellow Toyota Gazoo Racing safety car featured in the wild commercial.

From the ad, that particular car will be made available starting on April 25th, but the Tomica Happy Meal promotion was launched on April 11th. Several other vehicles following the theme of safety are part of the promotion. Among them are an ambulance, police car, firetruck, construction vehicles, helicopter and even a, uh, ‘Mosasaurus Transport Vehicle.’