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Paige Spiranac gets fans’ hearts racing in NASCAR pace car at Daytona

Golf influencer took part in crash-filled Coke Zero 400

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Paige Spiranac added a few dozen NASCAR drivers as followers this weekend – they literally were tailing her around the track.

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The golf influencer was named the honorary pace car rider and an event official at Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday.

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That meant having the opportunity to get on the track before the big race by riding shotgun in the pace car before the green flag was waved to get things going.

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Spiranac, who has more than 5.5 million followers across her social media accounts, was thrilled with the opportunity and called her night at the track “incredible” in a recap post on her Instagram Stories.

“I am emotional because that was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done,” she said in the post. “To hear the cars as they come flying by me right now … Oh my god!”

American Olympians Bobby Finke and Parker Valby also took part in honorary capacities at the race, with swimmer Finke, who won the gold in the men’s 1500m freestyle in Paris this month, named the official starter.

The race itself had more than enough excitement.

Harrison Burton, son of retired NASCAR star Jeff Burton, picked up the first victory of his Cup series career.

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Jeff was calling the race for NBC and couldn’t hold back his excitement in the booth. He was seen wildly fist-pumping as his son crossed the line for the win.

Josh Berry and Michael McDowell were involved in scary wrecks while fighting for the lead during the race, but were OK.

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Next up for Spiranac is getting back on the golf course. She’ll be taking part in the Creator Classic this week.

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The event, run by the PGA Tour, will feature 16 golf content creators competing on the back nine of the newly restored East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga., which is hosting the Tour Championship starting on Thursday.

The Creator Classic will be streamed live on the PGA Tour’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, for anyone who wants to see Spiranac drive golf balls instead of race cars.

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