Bubba Wallace and former NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney were spotted traveling to Daytona, Florida, as they prepare for this Sunday’s 68th annual Daytona 500 at the renowned Daytona International Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on FOX starting at 2:30 pm ET. Both drivers are aiming to capture their first victory in the prestigious 500-mile event, which stands as the centerpiece race of the NASCAR calendar.
Prior Achievements at Daytona Highlight Their Strong Credentials
Although neither Wallace nor Blaney has won the Daytona 500 itself, both drivers have tasted success at this famed track. Wallace secured a win last year in one of the Bluegreen Vacations Duel qualifying races held at the 2.5-mile tri-oval, while Blaney claimed victory in the regular season finale at Daytona. Their previous wins at the speedway add to the anticipation surrounding their performances in this season-opening showdown.
Family Moments Captured During Flight to the Race
On their journey to Daytona, Wallace and Blaney shared a heartfelt moment, taking a photo aboard the aircraft while holding their children. Wallace posted the image on social media, accompanying it with a caption that celebrated fatherhood and the upcoming race:
“We rolling into 2026 DAD’ED UP!! Daytona here we come!”
Driving the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing, Wallace is deeply rooted in NASCAR. Now in his ninth full Cup Series season, he made history with his 2021 victory at Talladega, becoming the second Black driver to win a Cup Series race. Last year, he also won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marking his most recent triumph.
Wallace’s career includes three Cup Series wins and six victories in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His first Truck Series win in 2013 at Martinsville Speedway made him the first Black driver to win a NASCAR-sanctioned event since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott.
Wallace and Jesse Love Appear in Super Bowl Commercials
Before turning all attention to the Daytona 500, Wallace and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love participated in two national commercials aired during Super Bowl LX on February 8. Wallace featured in Toyota’s campaign promoting the new 2026 RAV4 and Tundra models, while Love starred in an advertisement by Samsara highlighting their personalized safety coaching technology for professional drivers.
Wallace appeared alongside NFL star Puka Nacua and U.S. Paralympian Oksana Masters in the 30-second Toyota spot titled Where Dreams Begin, directed by Alberto Blanco. Meanwhile, Love’s appearance in the Samsara commercial showcases a new driver coaching tool called ‘Samsara Coach.’
“Defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion @JesseLoveJr1 will be starring in @Samsara’s Super Bowl LX commercial, promoting the brand’s new personalized safety coach for professional drivers,”
Srigley wrote. “Love will serve as the first avatar for ‘Samsara Coach’.”
Looking Ahead: The Daytona 500 and What It Means for Drivers and Fans
As anticipation builds for the Daytona 500, fans can follow the race live on FOX beginning at 2:30 pm ET or tune into race coverage via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This season opener holds special significance for many competitors, representing the chance to claim one of motorsports’ most coveted titles and set the tone for the year ahead. Bubba Wallace’s journey to secure his first Daytona 500 win reflects not only his on-track ambitions but also his role as a prominent figure in NASCAR’s evolving landscape.
We rolling into 2026 DAD’ED UP!! Daytona here we come! pic.twitter.com/3mjlgFzZL7
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 9, 2026
