Racing drivers being excited about a track associated with a different discipline from what they have raced in is not something new. One such story is of former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, who was blown away by the Daytona International Speedway.

Any racing event at Daytona always has a unique flavor to it. And over the years, it has attracted a lot of drivers from various divisions of motorsports. The steep 31-degree banking at turns is also what adds to its allure.

While talking to IndyCar driver Conor Daly on the "Speed Street" podcast, Daniel Ricciardo recalled his first visit to the speedway. "I went to Daytona for the first time end of last year. You know, I've watched that race my whole life, and I knew that banking would be cool. I was just like, man, some things you just have to see, just have to physically see it, and that's how I feel with the Indy 500," he said.

After also touching upon the grandeur surrounding the Indy 500, which Ricciardo will attend this year, he added, "Me just walking up the banking at Daytona, I was just like, 'Holy c***.'"

Over the years, NASCAR's Daytona 500 and IMSA's 24 Hours of Daytona have attracted numerous drivers from various forms of motorsports, like F1, IndyCar, and other series. The most recent F1 drivers to race at Daytona were Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso at the 2018 24 Hours of Daytona.

Daniel Ricciardo, however, has not commented on wanting to race at Daytona. Despite not having raced at the 2.5-mile oval, the connection between the Australian driver and the track runs deep.

Daniel Ricciardo's fascination with the Daytona 500

Earlier this year, Daniel Ricciardo launched NASCAR-themed merchandise ahead of the 68th Daytona 500 race. Under his clothing brand 'Enchante', the capsule was named ‘Daytona Thunder.'

While talking about the collection, the former Red Bull driver penned a note about what the race means to him. "As a kid, I grew up a fan of NASCAR," he wrote. "The Daytona 500 was my most anticipated race to watch. The close racing, the bump drafting, and this and that, but also just the timing."

"The strategy and how early in the race to show your cards, so to speak, and the cat and mouse, and when to go and when to be patient. The whole flow of the race that really fascinated me. What a way to start a year, with a race like Daytona," Ricciardo added.

Since exiting F1 in mid-2024, the nine-time Grand Prix winner enjoys the sport as a spectator and has no plans of getting behind the wheel again. However, he does serve as an ambassador for Ford Racing. 

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yask Kotak