USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) lead the pack to a restart during the All-Star Open at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) lead the pack to a restart during the All-Star Open at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Furniture Row Racing has not been in operation in NASCAR since 2018. However, it seems that the organization was not idle, as some of their equipment was used in a demo run. This run was special because the driver was paralyzed and drove the car with a microchip implanted in his brain.
As it happened, a college student, German Aldana Zuniga had a car crash in 2013, which resulted in a spinal cord injury. The demo run took place at the Pikes Peak International Raceway and Zuniga had a lot of fun.
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Looks like some really cool repurposing of Furniture Row Racing equipment, amazing! #NASCAR https://t.co/auxslHYQGo
— Matthew Burroughs (@MJBurroughs) May 24, 2022
furniture row racing hell yeah
— formerly quagsire (@galliumtv) May 24, 2022
Wowoww this made my day! So cool!
— rowdy energy enthusiast (@erin18_) May 24, 2022
“I felt very excited, I felt the adrenaline rush. It felt amazing. When I imagined doing it I was excited, but at the same time I was nervous because of my accident, tried to remain positive and calm myself down. I have faith in them and they have faith in me,” said Zuniga.
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“Wanted to do this not only for myself, but for all the people that don’t know they could do something like that. Or are afraid or don’t have the will. I want to keep them confident and to have hope and not lose it. To go out there and try all the stuff that they don’t know about.”
Truly amazing, but I am most excited over the return of Furniture Row Racing and pikes peak
— VCrow (@VinnytheCrow) May 24, 2022
Man I am glad they are using PPIR in Fountain Colorado for good use, Nascar bought it and turned it into a club track, Smoke won the first Indy race here, miss those days. @IndyCar https://t.co/mLNKWOHmfp
— CrippleCreekCC (@DudeoDan) May 24, 2022
Am I tripping or is this basically what Dr Octavius was trying to do with those arms? 🤔🤨 https://t.co/RdNqpmTmNd
— Aᴀʀᴏɴ Cavin (@ACav704) May 24, 2022
How crazy is this https://t.co/WqXtDJVowz
— Dean Heldt (@Deano_solo) May 25, 2022
The return of Furniture Row?!?! https://t.co/svLGxoOosF
— Ryan Fox (@Ryan_Fox2017) May 24, 2022
This is awesome! Endless possibilities. Just in racing, it can open up new leagues and opportunities. https://t.co/MeHBYbVBPX
— Josh Intemann (@JoshIntemann) May 24, 2022
In essence, the paraplegic was controlling the car with his thoughts. It is also worth mentioning that the microchip was an innovation by neurosurgeon Scott Falci. The way that Zuniga was able to drive was that he could communicate with a computer installed in the car through the chip.
What is next for the NASCAR Cup Series?
Now, the Cup Series paddock is making landfall at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It will be yet another fierce competition, as drivers vie for the final few spots in the Playoffs.
READ MORE: NASCAR Fans Want Favorite Driver Jamie McMurray in the Commentary Booth Instead of Clint Bowyer
Additionally, previous winners will want to extend their win counts even further and make things harder.
At the moment, it is Chase Elliott who is leading the regular-season standings. However, things can change in the blink of an eye, especially since Ryan Blaney is just breathing down his neck. All it takes is one slip up and Elliott could lose the championship lead. On the bright side, he has booked his Playoff berth, though the same cannot be said for Blaney.
