Bubba Wallace Takes Puka Nacua on Ride Along Ahead of Daytona 500, Snaps Selfie with NFL Star

Daytona Beach, FL — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua began his duties as Honorary Race Official at the 2026 Daytona 500 with a jolt of adrenaline, climbing into the passenger seat of Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry for a five-lap practice run Sunday morning.

Wallace, who pilots the 23XI Racing entry co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, documented the moment with a selfie alongside the second-year NFL standout before firing the engine. Once on track, Wallace later quipped on social media that Nacua was “yelling his ass off the ENTIRE ride,” a claim supported by in-car footage the team posted online.

After climbing out, Nacua—still catching his breath—joked that Wallace seemed more focused on capturing his reactions than on the asphalt ahead. The Rams pass-catcher, a Team Toyota Athlete who appeared in the brand’s “Where Dreams Began” Super Bowl commercial, called the experience unforgettable.

The morning thrill ride was only the beginning. Speedway officials announced Saturday that Nacua will also take part in NASCAR’s Speed Seat Thrill Ride with Hall of Famer Kurt Busch later in the day, giving him a second taste of 180-mph laps on Dayton’s high banks before the 66th running of the Great American Race.

To stay ahead of forecasted weather, NASCAR has moved the Daytona 500 start up one hour; the green flag will now wave at 2:13 p.m. ET.

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