LAS VEGAS — NHL stars swapped skates for steering wheels this week, putting their reflexes to the test on a NASCAR racing simulator during the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski spun out on lap eight of an 11-lap run at a virtual Daytona International Speedway and wound up 39th out of 40. Calgary Flames forward Matt Coronato kept the accelerator down as instructed, stayed out of major trouble, and finished 37th. Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers climbed to 10th before losing control and clipping the wall.
NHL Players Race Against NASCAR Driver
NASCAR Cup Series driver Noah Gragson joined the action, using hockey gloves to narrow any advantage on the Sim Coaches rig. The Las Vegas native, now based in Charlotte, has followed the Vegas Golden Knights since their debut season and raced against the players while interviewing them. He offered pointers on drafting and throttle control at Daytona, where the sweeping banking allows drivers to stay flat out. He also explained that real cars can reach cockpit temperatures of roughly 135–140 degrees.
Before Gragson arrived, several NHLers topped the leaderboard on Tuesday in separate 11-lap sessions: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel, Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin each posted wins. Florida Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk recorded the day’s fastest single lap at 48.1 seconds but was the only participant to spin out and not finish. Gragson’s best lap on the simulator was 47.9 seconds, and he believed he could lower it further. He told players he owns 13 victories in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, one tier below the Cup Series, and is still seeking his first Cup win.
Players compared notes with Gragson about his path from karting to stock cars and grilled him on his schedule and racecraft. Gragson came away impressed by their focus and competitiveness, noting how quickly they adapted to the rhythm of pack racing at simulated speeds near 200 mph.
The session highlighted the NHL’s push to team up with other major sports to broaden reach and engagement. League executives view collaborations with noncompeting sports—NASCAR in this case—as prime opportunities to draw in new fans. The initiative follows last month’s partnership with FC Bayern Munich aimed at boosting hockey’s presence in Germany and promoting the Bayern brand in North America.