Now we are going back to where we started. NASCAR hit Daytona for the season-opening race, and now is heading towards the second-last regular season race, the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Some heavyweights in other sports disciplines will make the stage sparkle as Cup drivers burn rubber to put the finishing touches to their playoff story.

Three of these special guests are Olympic celebrities, while another is a golf mogul. NASCAR is doing its bit to welcome the heroes from two weeks of hustling Olympic games in Paris. The confluence of motorsports, swimming, track running, and golf is unparalleled and sure to dazzle the fans!

Coke Zero Sugar 400 to have an Olympic chapter

The Daytona 500 race had an esteemed guest as well—the rain goddess, who gifted delay as well as more work to the track support staff. However, this time, the guests are bound to bring gleeful smiles to the garage, as some of them are fresh off an Olympic bout. Bobby Finke, a three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer, became the only U.S. male swimmer to win an individual gold medal in the 1500m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This water sports icon will be the torchbearer for the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Finke will wave the green flag for Cup racers to battle out their playoff chances in Daytona. Joining him in his duties will be Parker Valby, Olympic Track and Field and Cross-Country athlete, who was also named an honorary track official. The Florida natives received a special mention from Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “After a summer where sports captured the world’s attention, we’re honored to welcome U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Bobby Finke and Olympic athlete Parker Valby to the World Center of Racing.”

Additionally, nine-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel is also in the show. He will serve as an honorary event official for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The medal hunter added a tally of three discs, two gold and one silver, in Paris. The Team Toyota athlete boasts the world records for 100m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m individual medley, and 4x100m medley relay. The upcoming race day could not get any better, as golf influencer Paige Spiranac is coming to spice up the show.

Spiranac will be the honorary pace car rider and event official for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Having a sprawling Instagram fanbase of 4 million, she is a sports mogul and former professional golfer. “She has an undeniable energy that continually captures the attention of the golf community, and with our friends at LPGA just up the road from here, I’m sure our fans are just as eager to welcome her to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 as we are,” said Kelleher.

And our own Cup drivers would be more thrilled about the event. Especially because they spent the Olympic break cheering for their favorite athletes.

When NASCAR drivers rooted for their Olympic role models

At a unique time that comes every four years, our Cup Series drivers got a breather amidst a 38-race schedule. But they chose to spend it in different ways. Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez tied the knot with their fiancees, and Suarez competed in a NASCAR Brasil Series road race. Others simply opted to watch the Paris Olympics and root for their favorite athletes.

For instance, 63-time Cup winner Kyle Busch cheered for gold-medal-winning sprinter Noah Lyles, as the latter beat Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson for gold again this time. “Seems this aged well. Great race, @lylesnoah,” Busch posted on X.

Then two-time Cup Champion Joey Logano had his eyes glued to Sha’Carri Richardson, track and field sprinter. She clinched one gold and one silver at the Paris Olympics. “She gets speed, at least in a short distance,” Logano said of Richardson.

Then Jimmie Johnson wished the now most decorated Olympic gymnast in history, Simone Biles—she clinched four medals out of which three were gold this time. Chase Elliott also rooted for the golf team. “What’s up guys, Chase Elliott here.. Just want to take a second and wish Scottie Scheffler, wish all the guys on USA Golf the best of luck in the Olympics.”

Evidently, these Cup drivers would be thrilled to meet Olympic heavyweights right on their playground this week. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 race would get a grand boost in the presence of the athletic superstars!