This year’s Rolex 24 Hrs of Daytona will have a lot of IndyCar drivers fighting for the win. There is NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, and there’s also young sensation Colton Herta. But there’s one IndyCar driver who might be carrying the biggest K.O. factor with him – Devlin DeFrancesco.

The Canadian-Italian driver recently got a message of support from Mike Tyson, one of the greatest sports icons of all time.

Tyson wrote in his message to the 22-year-old, “Big things ahead. Best of luck.”

This got some wondering, and for all the right reasons, what is the connection between Mike Tyson and Devlin DeFrancesco?

Well, the IndyCar driver himself explained this in a recent interview. “Had dinner with him a couple months ago. So the relationship with him is through one of my sponsors, Wesana,” DeFrancesco said.

“He’s a part of that group. It was really cool to meet him recently.”

The driver also added that he’s “looking forward” to bringing Mike Tyson to a race sometime in the future. Whether that race would be an IndyCar one or an endurance one, we’ll see.

But there’s definitely no shortage of legendary elements in the 24 hrs of Daytona this year. Look no further than seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who has a great chance of winning this upcoming race.

Jimmie Johnson “in the best situation” of winning at Daytona

In a recent interview, the former Hendrick driver described his chances of winning the 24 hr race. “I’m starting at such a better place this year for both IMSA and IndyCar, I know most of the tracks. I have a fair amount of seat time in the cars,” he said.

“I feel like I’m in the best situation I’ve ever had to come here and win this race,” Johnson added.

“I think my journey in sports cars and also the time spent in IndyCar, I’ve closed up the gap quite a bit and when you look at an endurance race and what our goals are, I’m right there where I need to be.”

This would arguably be Johnson’s last proper chance of winning the 24 hrs of Daytona in what will be his ninth attempt.

Will he end up victorious or will he be K.O’d by his IndyCar rivals?

We’ll see.

Also Read: “I Don’t Care, Honestly” – Jimmie Johnson Has a Brutal Response to His Doubters Ahead of His First Full-Time Season in INDYCAR