Jimmie Johnson Unveils Shaquille O’Neal-Designed Livery For Daytona 500

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Lydia Mee is a contributing sports activities author positioned within the West Midlands, England. Her focus is on F1 and NASCAR. She has in-depth data of Motorsport as an entire. Lydia joined Newsweek in March 2024, having beforehand written Motorsport content material for Sports activities Illustrated. You will get in contact with Lydia by emailing, l.mee@newsweek.com. You’ll find her at X @LMeeMotorsport.

Lydia Mee

Sports activities Contributing Author

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Jimmie Johnson has unveiled the livery designed by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for the upcoming Daytona 500.

This eye-catching design is the results of a playful trade between the 2 sports activities icons, which began on social media and led to a free throw battle, and was facilitated by Carvana.

After stepping away from full-time racing in 2020, Johnson now returns with a co-ownership position at Legacy Motor Membership.

Extra Information: Legacy Motor Club Confirms Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 Crew Chief

This yr, Johnson is specializing in two main races, along with his participation within the Daytona 500 making it much more memorable with O’Neal’s contribution.

The design of the automotive is a vivid homage to Shaquille O’Neal’s illustrious NBA profession within the Nineties. It options components impressed by his iconic uniforms, together with hanging pinstripes and a vibrant coloration scheme paying homage to his time with groups just like the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. The “Dunkman” brand—a logo carefully related to O’Neal’s basketball legacy—adorns the hood of the automotive.

This collaborative effort was unveiled at Shaq’s Enjoyable Home in New Orleans on February 7.

The debut on the DAYTONA 500 qualifying rounds on February 12 marks a brand new chapter for Johnson, as he races with this distinctive paint scheme, all main as much as the principle occasion on February 16, which is able to air on FOX at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Extra Information: Jimmie Johnson Accelerates Team Ownership Takeover in Surprise Move

O’Neal commented in regards to the collaboration in a press launch offered to Newsweek Sports activities:

“Jimmie and I had a ton of enjoyable placing this collectively. The automotive appears superb, and I can not wait to see him tear up the observe subsequent Sunday. Fortunate for him, he is obtained a greater shot at victory lane than on the free-throw line!”

Jimmie Johnson additionally shared his pleasure, noting:

“I figured our little feud would keep on-line, however subsequent factor I do know, Shaq’s difficult me to a free throw contest and calling the pictures on my paint scheme.

“I’ve to confess—he is obtained model. It is daring, it is iconic, and I can not wait to take it to the observe.”

Ryan Keeton, Carvana Co-founder and Chief Model Officer, commented:

“Jimmie and Shaq are two of essentially the most legendary athletes of their sports activities, and once they began going backwards and forwards, we knew one thing enjoyable needed to come out of it.

“By mixing the worlds of basketball and NASCAR, we’re bringing collectively two high-energy arenas and two iconic athletes to create one thing actually unforgettable for followers of each sports activities.”

Extra Information: Jimmie Johnson And Shaquille O’Neal Fight It Out In Person After X ‘Feud’

For the most recent NASCAR news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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