The first to take the lead was the #15 Blaze Sims BS Impreza, starting from pole position. Following behind was the #83 BP ADVAN NSX, starting from 4th on the grid, followed by the #54 FTJB Elf Impreza and the #44 TM Nakayama WM Integra. The #15 Blaze Sims BS Impreza, who took the lead on the opening lap, began to pull away from the rest of the pack, as expected. However, as lapped cars began to come into play, the #83 BP ADVAN NSX closed in on the #15 Blaze Sims BS Impreza. Then, on the 5th corner braking, the #83 BP ADVAN NSX took the lead and continued to lead the race.

However, speed alone cannot win in this "JOY TAI". At the 2-hour mark, the top position was held by [#74 Honda Cars Narashino Suzuban Civic]. After that, [#18 Bambino Civic], which had been running consistently in the 2 minute 30 second range despite pitting once, jumped into the lead. Then, after 3 hours and 37 minutes, during the second pit stop for refueling, [#29 Garage FKSP MDL Civic] rose to the top. [#62 DUNLOP Mecca EF9] was about 20 seconds behind, and [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] was about 48 seconds behind, chasing after them. [#18 Bambino Civic] finished refueling and returned to the course in 11th place, but during the third pit stop, they committed a penalty for exceeding the time limit in the refueling area, causing them to drop in the rankings.

After 4 hours, dark clouds spread in the sky and rain is expected. At this point, the top position was held by [#4 WETAKEDLIDI WAKO'S LEVIN], followed by [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] with a gap of about 29 seconds. In third place was [#29 Garage FK SPMDL Civic], followed by [#88 WM-RUKINO Civic] one lap behind in fourth place.

At the remaining 1 hour mark, the top position is still held by [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin], with [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] following closely behind. However, at this point, rain starts to fall from the sky. The road becomes slippery and lap times start to decrease. Some cars go off course, but it becomes an easier situation in terms of fuel consumption.

With less than 30 minutes remaining, the lights-on signal was displayed, marking the climax of the 2008 "JOY TAI." The gap between the leader, [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin], and second place, [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic], rapidly closed. What was once a gap of over 30 seconds quickly shrank, and with 15 minutes left, [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] set its best time despite the rain, narrowing the gap to 7.772 seconds. The battle between the escaping [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] and the chasing [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] ended in an unexpected finale. Remarkably, with 12 minutes remaining, [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] slowed down. It made it to the pit lane entrance but stopped there due to running out of fuel. This allowed [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] to take the lead and receive the checkered flag, claiming their third "JOY TAI" victory.
"We were also in a tough situation with fuel efficiency, but it seems other teams struggled with the heat and rain as well. It truly became a blessing of rain," said Katsumi Tomizawa, who showed a remarkable comeback at the end. "This victory was achieved with the drivers and crew united as one. It’s a win for teamwork," said Katsuo Hirayama. Out of the 8 times the JOY TAI has been held, they have won 3 times, marking a high winning rate. This race saw the JOY TAI specialist team return to the center of the podium.

Together, 【#62DUNLOP Mecca EF9】 which raised its position in the final stages of the race, took 2nd place, and 【#18 Bambino Civic】 took 3rd place and climbed onto the podium.