Kyle Busch is no stranger to winning championships. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has conquered some of the toughest races in the sport. But in 2019, he did something completely unexpected—he became a WWE champion. Yes, you read it right. Rowdy entered the WWE ring and destroyed a WWE superstar to win the iconic WWE 24/7 Championship.
The scene unfolded on an episode of Monday Night Raw. Busch, alongside racing legend Michael Waltrip, entered the arena to congratulate WWE superstar R-Truth, who held the 24/7 Championship at the time. Notably, the title had a unique rule: it could be defended anywhere, anytime, as long as a referee was present. As R-Truth embraced Waltrip, the NASCAR veteran pulled off a surprise move, revealing a referee’s jersey under his jacket.
Busch took advantage of the moment, rolled up R-Truth, and pinned him for the title. The NASCAR champ stood in disbelief, holding his first (and only) WWE title. The moment was one of the iconic crossovers WWE and NASCAR had produced. Over the years, many WWE superstars have brought their larger-than-life personas to NASCAR events, and the trend continues in 2025. As NASCAR heads to Las Vegas for the Pennzoil 400, a WWE Champion will drive the pace car.
NASCAR fuels Vegas race with star power!
WWE fans and NASCAR enthusiasts alike have something to cheer for at the upcoming Pennzoil 400. NASCAR has named reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green as the honorary pace car driver for the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Known for her electrifying presence in the ring, Green will lead the field by driving the Toyota Supra pace car. Notably, the Victoria native has made a name for herself with her agility, charisma, and iconic “Hot Mess” persona.
Now, she gets to bring that same energy to NASCAR’s West Coast Swing. Her excitement for the moment is undeniable. “I am speechless and beyond pumped to attend my first NASCAR race, and to have such a major role in it is something I never expected! From the roar of the engines to the energy of the crowd, this is a whole new level of excitement, and I can’t wait to be part of this incredible experience!” she said in a statement.
Notably, Green isn’t the first WWE superstar to take on a key role at a NASCAR race. Over the years, wrestling icons have left their mark on the sport in various ways. Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Charlotte Flair, and Sheamus have all served as honorary officials, pace car drivers, or grand marshals at different races. Even Matt Hardy and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have had their moments on the track.
She now joins this legendary list, adding another exciting chapter to the WWE-NASCAR crossover legacy. However, this announcement only fuels the excitement for the upcoming race as NASCAR had already roped in ‘voice of god’ Morgan Freeman to serve as the grand marshal. The Academy Award-winning actor will deliver the most famous words in racing, “Drivers, start your engines!” before the green flag drops at Las Vegas.
Freeman, known for narrating some of the most iconic films and documentaries, is just as excited about the opportunity. “I’m thrilled to be chosen as the grand marshal for this NASCAR race. It’s a true honor to be part of such an incredible tradition, and I can’t wait to see the energy, passion, and excitement that fills the track.” Notably, he is not new to the NASCAR world, as he voiced this year’s Daytona 500 commercial for Fox. He has also narrated many NASCAR-related documentaries in his legendary acting career. While NASCAR is preparing for an ultimate showdown in Las Vegas, will Mother Nature allow the event?
Here is the early weather forecast for the Pennzoil 400!
The NASCAR world is already buzzing with the upcoming star power at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The fact that Morgan Freeman and WWE Champion Green will make honorary appearances NASCAR fans are excited for the event. But as the hype builds, one big question remains—will the weather cooperate for this historic race?
Luckily, the forecast looks mostly favorable for the weekend. Friday’s Truck Series race will see clear skies, temperatures in the mid-50s, and minimal wind. Saturday’s Xfinity Series race will be even better, with sunshine and temperatures peaking at 65°F. Similarly, Sunday’s race day temperatures should hover around 71°F, with only a 5% chance of rain. However, winds will be 16-20 mph, with gusts reaching 28 mph, which could make things tricky for drivers.
While rain is highly unlikely, gusty conditions could create some challenges on the track. Notably, the last time NASCAR saw wild weather in Vegas was in 2016 when a sandstorm hit during the Kobalt 400. Hopefully, this year’s race should be smooth sailing, setting the stage for a thrilling battle on the track with Hollywood-level star power fueling the action. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, get ready—this one’s going to be epic!
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