Hollywood Superstar Sydney Sweeney Becomes a NASCAR Driver for a Day, Thanks Team Penske’s Runner-Up

The NASCAR season is over, but that isn't stopping Sydney Sweeney from keeping the excitement alive. The Hollywood superstar took some time off to experience the world of stock car racing, alongside Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney. Dressed in a blue racing suit, the 27-year-old took part in the NASCAR Racing Experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway, following in the footsteps of actors such as Paul Newman and Tom Cruise by getting behind the wheel of a NASCAR vehicle.

With the offseason only a week old, could the sport have asked for a better endorsement than Sweeney's viral Instagram post? Even though her NASCAR adventure lasted just a day, the self-proclaimed motorsport enthusiast had a great time living in the fast lane, suggesting she might return to the racetrack again.

Sydney Sweeney takes part in a high-speed adventure Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to racing or speed. While the actress hasn't been a part of a motorsport movie yet, she comes from a family of mechanics and is a known fan of Ford, especially the Broncos. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 27-year-old was seen being assisted by fellow Ford ambassador Ryan Blaney, who helped her take the first laps in a NASCAR vehicle. The actress and the car manufacturer recently teamed up to give away a custom-built 2024 Mustang GT, cementing her reputation as a car enthusiast.

Sydney Sweeney's experience of working with cars and her adventures in off-roading has led her to one of the most iconic NASCAR tracks. The actress was seen triumphantly posing in front of the cameras after taking part in the experience and wrote on Instagram, "This is awesome! Thank you for showing me what I've been missing out on!" The Team Penske driver responded to her Instagram story by writing, "Glad y'all had a good time!" while Blaney's fiancé Gianna Tulio, who was also present at the racetrack, thanked the Hollywood starlet and her future husband for the ride around.

Known for her roles in shows like The White Lotus and Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney's NASCAR experience might motivate her to take part in a motorsports movie in the future. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney is no stranger to Hollywood or the limelight, having taken part in TV shows such as Magnum P. I and Taken. Blaney also voiced the No. 21 Ryan 'Inside' Laney in the movie Cars 3, while Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott was the voice of the character 'Chase Racelott'. The Team Penske driver opted for a retro look at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with his old-school Dickies firesuit design and playoff beard giving off the vibes of a driver from the yesteryears.

The 30-year-old won the 2023 Cup Series championship and came agonizingly close to defending his crown at Phoenix Raceway this year. However, Blaney was narrowly beaten by teammate Joey Logano, who ended up securing his second title in three years. With the off-season currently underway, the No. 12 Ford driver will use this period to get some well-earned rest before shifting his focus to the 2025 season opener, the Daytona 500.

Sweeney wanted to be a racecar driver growing up It's no secret that Sydney Sweeney comes from an automotive background. The actress' enthusiasm for cars is well-known, having refurbished many vintage vehicles with her own two hands. She opened a TikTok account called 'Syd's Garage' during the pandemic to share her passion and encourage more women to embrace their interest in cars. Sweeney learned to drive as a teenager in a manual vehicle and has also taken part in plenty of off-road adventures in Utah.

Reflecting on her journey so far, the actress said, "I've always been a huge fan of vintage vehicles. My babysitters used to be racecar drivers, and I thought I was going to be one when I grew up. My mom didn't let me drive an automatic until I actually got my license. She taught me how to change a tire and figure things out for myself."

With Sydney Sweeney taking part in the NASCAR Racing Experience, getting that star power will go a long way in growing the sport and creating more fans. Allowing regular people to get an authentic racecar experience is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many, and the actress' social media posts will prompt several people to engage in the activity as well. Should NASCAR get more high-profile celebrities and pop culture figures to popularize the sport amongst the masses? Let us know in the comments!