DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NFL and NASCAR collided on Sunday afternoon in Daytona Beach, Florida. Marshawn Lynch, Jon Gruden, and Puka Nacua took on the Daytona 500.
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This trio made their way to NASCAR's biggest race through different circumstances. Lynch and Nacua each filmed commercials with 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace.
One aired during Super Bowl 60, courtesy of Toyota Racing. The other aired after the Big Game as NASCAR aimed to hype up the start of the 2026 season.
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Good start to the morning with @BubbaWallace, @AsapPuka and @ToyotaRacingUSA! pic.twitter.com/hAYNSQJBUq
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) February 15, 2026
Gruden, however, received a personal invite from Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. This all stemmed from Gruden's cohort, Jake Malasek, filming a video from the outside of the 2.5-mile superspeedway. He marveled at the size of the track while driving end to end.
Kelleher responded by inviting both Malasek and Gruden to the Daytona 500. The track team also sent a box of merch to the Super Bowl-winning head coach.
BEAST MODE!!!! pic.twitter.com/ve91Tm19sh
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) February 15, 2026
All three NFL personalities showed up at the track on Sunday afternoon. Gruden spent extensive time with Richard Childress Racing, Austin Dillon, and the No. 3 team. Nacua threw the football around on pit road with Wallace.
"It's unbelievable," Gruden said about his experience to Fox Sports. "You guys start the season with the Super Bowl. It's the greatest event ever. I'm so happy to be here. I can't get a job coaching, so I'm studying NASCAR now."
Lynch roamed the facility. He spent some time with Wallace and some time Gruden. He also attended the Drivers Meeting and posted up by the Cup Series cars during pre-race ceremonies.
Beast Mode is here hanging out with Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing. pic.twitter.com/DXaSiQj862
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) February 15, 2026
The Super Bowl-winning running back did not stop there. He joined 23XI Racing on the pit box, and he spent some time showing off his skills as a photographer.
Celebrities showing up for the Daytona 500 is a time-honored tradition, and it continued on Feb. 15. Some were on hand as dignitaries, such as Kurt Russell. Others just showed up for a good time at the track. This included Bert Kreischer, who hosted the Full Throttle Festival the night before the Great American Race.
