On race day, major stars are accustomed to the Daytona 500. How large? 7′ 1″, weighing more than 300 pounds, try this on for size. Yes, Shaq is hoping to get a ride for the Great American Race when he visits the area. No, on one, but not in a car. Sort of. Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, lost a recent free-throw match against Shaquille O’Neal. According to a mutually agreed wager, Shaq was given the opportunity to design the No. 84 Toyota that Johnson intends to start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday thanks to each man’s connections with Carvana, his primary NASCAR sponsor. Because of this, the No. 84 will have Shaq’s “Dunkman” emblem on the hood in addition to a color scheme and pinstripes apparently borrowing from Shaq’s early-career tenure with the nearby Orlando Magic.
“Jimmie and I had a ton of fun putting this together,” O’Neal said via press release. “The car looks amazing, and I can’t wait to see him tear up the track next Sunday. Lucky for him, he’s got a better shot at victory lane than at the free-throw line!”
Shaq takes the Daytona 500 by storm with his post-career free-throw skills
After considerable back and forth between the two online, the free-throw competition was held. It was undoubtedly the only basketball-related matchup between the two that could be imagined, given Shaq’s well-known difficulties from the stripe during his career just 52% overall. Shaq made it, just, and won 5–4. The winner would be the first one to five successful free throws. Johnson remarked, “I thought our little feud would remain on the internet, but the next thing I know, Shaq’s calling the shots on my paint job and challenging me to a free-throw contest.” Being a co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, which fields full-time Cup Series cars for Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, Johnson had a little more influence over the situation than most drivers would as Johnson’s part-time ride.
First things first regarding Jimmie Johnson’s strategy for the Daytona 500
Wednesday and Thursday are going to be very busy for Johnson’s Shaq-themed vehicle. Nine drivers travel to Daytona in the same situation, therefore there is no assurance of a starting position for the 500 due to the No. 84 car’s part-time status. Either Johnson’s 150-mile qualifying race on Thursday night or his pole qualifying on Wednesday night must get him into the field. In addition to his seven Cup victories, Johnson has won the Daytona 500 twice. After the 2020 season, he announced his retirement from full-time NASCAR racing. He has since returned for the last two Daytona 500s, placing 31st and 28th.
