During a recent Carson Hocevar Daytona ride along, streaming sensation Darren Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, captivated audiences with his energetic and emotional responses from the passenger seat at Daytona International Speedway. The event, which took place as part of Speed‘s popular livestream series, brought together NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar, Daytona track president Frank Kelleher, and tens of thousands of online viewers eager to witness the unforgettable ride.
IShowSpeed Brings Unmatched Energy to Daytona Ride Along
Darren Watkins Jr., also known to fans as IShowSpeed or simply Speed, is one of the internet’s top content creators, boasting more than 43 million YouTube subscribers and 1.4 million followers on Twitch. Known for his high-octane, unpredictable content, Speed delivered a trademark performance during a thrilling ride with Carson Hocevar at Daytona International Speedway. His dramatic facial expressions and reactions—ranging from disbelief to laughter—entertained viewers as Hocevar steered the car around the iconic superspeedway.
Rubbin is Racing first shared the video clip on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, with a caption marveling at the unexpected collaboration:
“Did anyone have this on their bingo card?”
Speed’s participation was a highlight of his ongoing “Speed Does America” livestream marathon. On this day, around 35,000 people watched live as Hocevar and Kelleher joined Speed on the track, guiding him through every twist and turn. Not only did Speed get to experience a ride with a professional driver, but he also took the opportunity to climb behind the wheel himself.
Speed Tackles Daytona as Both Passenger and Driver
After the ride-along, Speed secured himself behind the wheel of a Chevrolet from the NASCAR Racing Experience, noting with surprise the cramped dimensions once he was buckled in. Despite the tight fit, he managed to navigate several laps of Daytona’s 2.5-mile circuit, spending eight minutes at speed. Daytona officials reported his top speed reached 124 mph—a notable achievement for someone new to the daunting oval.
For context, the pole speed at the 2025 Daytona 500 stood at 182.745 mph, with NASCAR legend Bill Elliott setting the all-time Daytona record at 210.364 mph back in 1987. As Speed climbed out after his turn, he exclaimed for onlookers and cameras:
“I f**** aced that.” —Darren Watkins Jr. (IShowSpeed)
Speed compared the excitement to his earlier racing adventure in an F4 car at Germany’s Nurburgring, declaring the NASCAR outing even more enjoyable. He openly expressed interest in repeating the experience, reflecting how much he appreciated both the thrill and camaraderie found at Daytona. The day’s excitement continued as Hocevar took Speed for a spin in a firetruck, demonstrating the famous banking and finish line, with their antics concluding by spraying water across the infield with a fire hose.
Carson Hocevar Narrowly Avoids Daytona Crash Amid Laughter
Carson Hocevar encountered a tense and chaotic moment during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, when a major pileup unfolded in Stage 1, ensnaring several cars including Bubba Wallace. Hocevar steered clear of disaster, and the audio from his in-car radio quickly spread online thanks to user Basso488 and reporter Jeff Gluck.
“Hell of a save,” a team member said. —Team Member
Hocevar responded over the radio with exuberant laughter, a genuine release after such a narrow escape. The crash itself started on the frontstretch, as contact between cars triggered a chain-reaction incident through the middle of the field. Although Bubba Wallace had already secured his spot in the playoffs, he was one of several competitors caught in the melee. After being checked by medical staff at the infield care center, Wallace described being struck from behind and forced into a vulnerable position, pointing to contact from Kyle Larson‘s No. 5 car and the movement of Joey Logano‘s No. 22, which left him with no options to avoid the wreck.
Despite calling it “just a crap deal,” Wallace affirmed he was uninjured. Driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, Carson Hocevar ultimately finished 34th in the race, testament to both his driving skills and the unpredictable nature of Daytona racing.
A Memorable NASCAR Crossover with Broad Appeal
This Carson Hocevar Daytona ride along brought together the worlds of streaming entertainment and professional motorsports, giving fans a unique look behind the scenes and capturing the emotional intensity of racing at high speeds. Darren Watkins Jr.’s presence—backed by his millions of followers and the enthusiastic guidance from both Carson Hocevar and Frank Kelleher—demonstrated the broad and growing appeal of NASCAR to new audiences. The event not only highlighted the unpredictable thrills the sport provides but also emphasized the ongoing crossover between digital creators and traditional athletic competitions, hinting at more such collaborations in the future.
