When Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the 65th running of the Daytona 500 last Sunday, it not only marked his first time winning the "Great American Race," but it was also his first victory in 199 races. So, naturally, the big win at Daytona International Speedway was cause for some major celebrating.
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After spending hours partying with his JTG Daugherty Racing team in victory lane, the 35-year-old driver of the No. 47 Chevy kept the party going by heading to Waffle House for a late-night meal. He even took the Harley J. Earl trophy along with him. Ricky's wife, Madyson Joye Stenhouse, posted a couple photos and videos of her and Ricky's Waffle House pit stop on her Instagram stories. He had the paper hat and everything!
Ricky @StenhouseJr celebrated his #Daytona500 win at @WaffleHouse.
🧇 via IG/StenhouseJr and @MadysonJoye pic.twitter.com/jpWjLQHGOb
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 20, 2023
Don't worry. Ricky did still end up going to Disney World after his Daytona 500 win, as is pretty much tradition after every major sports win. But, before that, he and his team decided to soak in the win for a little bit at the Daytona Beach, Florida racetrack.
"When you win a race like this, you take your time and celebrate it," crew member Zach Yager said on Monday. "You can rush to the plane when you lose. No need to be rushing to the plane when you win."
"We decided to enjoy it and stay inside the track where it happened. A lot of champagne bottles. We were also so caught up in the moment, we didn't want to leave here. We felt if we left, it would make it not real."
Stenhouse, who hadn't won a Cup race since 2017 with Roush Fenway Racing, was clearly all about savoring the moment.
"For us as a race team, it's all about these guys, all the guys and gals back at the shop," Stenhouse said. "Friends and family — to celebrate this with them, it was the perfect ending. It didn't get too crazy last night, but we did stay out a little late."
