The 2024 Daytona 500 was an amalgamation of stardom and passion. Aside from Cup Series drivers banging their cars against each other for the biggest victory of the year, there was even more in store for the fans. Former WWE champion and Hollywood actor, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, served as the Grand Marshall for the Great American Race and declared the race open with the three most anticipated words of the evening. Having stayed with NASCAR’s decision to postpone the race to Monday, The Hollywood star met Cup drivers in the garage and flaunted it on Twitter. However, in recent news, the 51-year-old is disappointed not to have met the King.

Richard Petty was one of the many legendary NASCAR drivers at the Daytona International Speedway. Set to kick off Legacy Motor Club’s era with Toyota as a manufacturer, Petty, and Jimmie Johnson shared some light moments before and after the race. However, it was the other Johnson who missed out on a chance to meet Petty. Despite some of the star attractions not performing at the race, Dwayne Johnson’s presence attracted a jam-packed arena.

Dwayne Johnson reveals how the massive Daytona crowd gave him chills

When NASCAR announced that the Daytona 500 was being postponed for a doubleheader on Monday, fans were upset about not being able to witness some of the stars in action. DJ Khaled and Pitbull backed out of performing on Monday and there wasn’t much to look forward to apart from the main event. Visiting the Daytona International Speedway for the first time, Dwayne Johnson, couldn’t let this big chance slip away.

Responding to seven-time Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson on Twitter, The Rock said, “Appreciate U and all you do brother. Damn, can’t believe I missed meeting the King @therichardpetty”

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Petty is also the most decorated driver in the Daytona 500 history with seven wins. With the occasion adding to the gravity of the meeting between the best of two worlds, NASCAR fans had anticipated a picture of the two. While that didn’t materialize, Johnson had a lot of praise for his collaboration with NASCAR. In another tweet, he expressed his gratitude and revealed his favorite moment from the race.

“My absolute honor to give this command with the respect and energy it deserves. Over 100,000 fans in silence until I say the word engines, as the drivers fire up at the same time. This whole thing gave me chills. THANK YOU fans, drivers, teams and @NASCAR. I will never forget this. If you need the People’s Champ again, you know where to find me,” wrote Johnson.

Another particular driver that caught The Rock’s eye was Denny Hamlin. Owing to the similarities as a heel in their respective industries, Johnson praised Denny’s ability to hit back at the boos with his success.

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Dwayne Johnson has some tips for Denny Hamlin

The Rock was one of the most followed WWE superstars during its golden era. He has shared some of the wrestling arena’s most famous rivalries with the champions of his time and won many of them as well. Watching Hamlin, he felt an instant connection between their characters in their sports. Commending Denny Hamlin for being a great heel, Johnson said:

“Being the villain is the greatest thing in the world. It truly is. Now, in my world of professional wrestling, I was aware of Denny getting booed and also impressed at how he’s embraced it.”

Revealing the perks of being the ‘bad guy’ in any sport, The Rock added, “One of the cool things that being a great bad guy and a great villain offers — and this is my advice to Denny — is not only do you embrace it, but also, you get the opportunity to say and do a lot of things that people can’t. A lot of people wish they can, and they don’t. So you don’t have to. Let me and Denny do the talking and get the boos.”

Not just The Rock, but several athletes from different sports including Hamlin’s partner, Michael Jordan, have praised his ability to withstand the criticism and keep going at it. After all, Hamlin needs something to fuel his evergreen chase for the championship.

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