Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua experienced an exhilarating start to the 2026 Daytona 500 weekend by riding alongside NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace during practice laps on Sunday morning at Daytona International Speedway. As the Honorary Race Official, Nacua was given the rare opportunity to ride shotgun in Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry, providing a firsthand glimpse into the intensity of NASCAR racing.
Before setting off for five fast-paced laps around the track, Wallace captured a selfie with Nacua. Throughout the ride, Wallace remarked on Nacua’s enthusiastic reactions, saying the wide receiver was
“yelling his ass off the ENTIRE ride.”
The spirited interaction was shared via Wallace’s social media, along with video footage of the thrilling lap experience.
Excitement and Reactions from Puka Nacua After the Ride
Following the lap session, Nacua was visibly energized but struggled to speak smoothly. He joked about Wallace paying more attention to his reactions than to the road during the ride along, highlighting the fun and carefree atmosphere despite the high speeds. Fans also had a chance to see highlights from Nacua’s ride, with sports journalist Jeff Gluck tweeting,
“Puka Nacua loved his Daytona ridealong.”
Nacua’s involvement with Toyota extends beyond this event, as he serves as a Team Toyota Athlete and recently appeared in Toyota’s “Where Dreams Began” commercial during the Super Bowl, reflecting his growing influence off the football field. Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace represents 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, bringing together iconic figures from different sports in the racing world.
Puka Nacua to Experience More NASCAR Thrills with Kurt Busch Ahead of Daytona 500
Beyond his ride with Wallace, Nacua is scheduled to participate in NASCAR’s “Speed Seat Thrill Ride” with Hall of Famer Kurt Busch on race day. This exciting opportunity will have Nacua taking laps with Busch prior to the official start of the Daytona 500, adding to his memorable weekend at the World Center of Racing.
Michael Verlatti, NASCAR Vice President of the Signature Experience Group, commented on Nacua’s involvement, saying,
“As a kid, we all craved that adrenaline rush of ripping a stock car around the World Center of Racing. We’ve witnessed Puka’s incredible speed on the football field, and now we’re going to see how that compares to being a passenger in a stock car on the high banks at the World Center of Speed.”
Daytona 500 Race Start Time Adjusted Due to Weather Concerns
To address potential weather issues expected on race day, NASCAR announced a change to the Daytona 500’s start time. The event will now begin an hour earlier, with official activities kicking off at 1:30 p.m. ET and the green flag scheduled to wave at 2:13 p.m. ET. This adjustment aims to ensure the race proceeds smoothly amid uncertain conditions, preserving the excitement and safety of what is widely known as The Great American Race.
Cross-Sport Collaboration Highlights the Appeal of Bubba Wallace’s Daytona Experience
This unique partnership between NASCAR and the NFL exemplifies the growing interaction between different sports communities. Puka Nacua’s participation as Honorary Race Official and passenger emphasizes the appeal of NASCAR’s top events for athletes from diverse athletic backgrounds. Wallace’s status as a leading Black driver in the sport continues to inspire, while Nacua’s presence helps bridge fanbases and elevate NASCAR’s visibility, demonstrating the expanding reach of both racing and football.
My dawg @AsapPuka was yelling his ass off the ENTIRE ride 🤣 5 laps to be exact 💀 pic.twitter.com/ebaIClijqA
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 15, 2026
Puka Nacua loved his Daytona ridealong 😂 https://t.co/XvlYdpOOOz pic.twitter.com/1yU1ghhNee
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 15, 2026
🚨The start time for the Daytona 500 has been moved up to 1:30p ET on FOX! 🚨
Live coverage from Daytona begins at 11:30a ET on FOX. pic.twitter.com/t90CdB8u2l
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2026
