So yesterday we showed you how the new Toyota Mirai can be operated on bullshit. Fearing that that might give the car a negative image, Toyota quickly scrambled and get the car a motorsport gig to make up for it. The Mirai will pace the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend.

The significance of this event is due to the fact that Toyota Mirai will be the first hydrogen-fueled vehicle to pace a NASCAR race. This will be a huge publicity opportunity for fuel cell cars which have been obscured in recent years by electric cars, even though they seem to be a more viable alternative for fossil fuel in the long run.

The Mirai, decorated with special stickers, will pace the 43-car NASCAR field at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). Powered by an electric motor fed by electricity generated by the fuel cells, the Mirai has enough go-juice to keep up with the race cars – at least during the formation lap – and with a range of up to 300 miles it can stay out there for as long as it is necessary.

“Having a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle pace the Toyota Owners 400 is a historic moment for both Toyota and NASCAR and we’re proud it’s the Toyota Mirai,” said Ed Laukes, vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “Bringing the Mirai to Richmond to pace this important race is another way for Toyota to showcase our innovation and environmental leadership.”