Overview
- NASCAR confirmed Puka Nacua participated in its pre-race Speed Seat Thrill Ride at Daytona, highlighted in a release quoting executive Michael Verlatti.
- Media accounts differ on who drove the two-seater with Nacua, with Yahoo/Sporting News saying Kurt Busch was slated while EssentiallySports reports Bubba Wallace ran the laps.
- There was no official statement naming Wallace as the pilot, according to EssentiallySports, leaving the driver attribution unresolved.
- Clips shared by reporters showed Nacua visibly rattled yet enthusiastic after the ride, describing the experience as “awesome.”
- Broadcast shots and social posts reported Nacua in a pace-car role later in the day, drawing wide fan reaction and jokes about his Daytona “side quest.”