Larry Fitzgerald drives pace car at NASCAR championship in Phoenix

Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald was on the track at Phoenix Raceway Sunday, driving the pace car for NASCAR’s championship race.

Fitzgerald has run away from plenty of defenders on the football field, but he expected driving around a race track ahead of the roar of NASCAR’s top racers to be a whole other experience. He promised he’d keep the car on the rails, which he did.

“Even doing 60 miles per hour around the track and seeing those bends, it’s a little nerve-wracking,” Fitzgerald told NBC before the event. “I can feel the adrenaline just doing the pre-laps.”

‘@NFL LEGEND @LarryFitzgerald is driving the pace car for today’s @NASCAR championship race!

Tune in at 3P ET on @nbc and @peacock. pic.twitter.com/gZnhpHSlsA

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 6, 2022

He said on the “Let’s Go” podcast that he has a greater appreciation for racing after spending time in the car, noting the talent of the drivers and crews are.

Fitzgerald said he first rode as a passenger in a race car in 2003 while at Pittsburgh ahead of the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte.

“It’s a unique sport.”

🗣 @LarryFitzgerald of the 𝗟𝗲𝘁‘𝘀 𝗚𝗼! Podcast on @SIRIUSXM is in the house @phoenixraceway 🏜@SiriusXMNFL | @MadDogRadio pic.twitter.com/EeYeIRvrBQ

— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 6, 2022

Fitzgerald is still very prominent in the Phoenix community after his playing days. He was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame recently and is the executive chair of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee.

He did his job on the track to get the race underway:

RETWEET if you’re watching the #NASCAR Cup Series championship race at @phoenixraceway!

📺 @nbc and @peacock pic.twitter.com/OAu5c7pOPF

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 6, 2022

Related

Larry Fitzgerald Foundation to help raise funds for breast cancer researchCourt decision gives athletes chance to return to college, including Wydett Williams of the CardinalsESPN ranks Cardinals dead last in NFL Future Power RankingsBubble watch: Notable Cardinals in danger of 53-man roster cutsCalais Campbell says football brings him joy amid family tragedyJacoby Brissett on Cardinals’ offensive firepower: ‘It presents a lot of problems for teams’