By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
NASCAR has a way of bringing out unique personalities to the track throughout each season. For last weekend’s Can-Am 500 from ISM Raceway, WWE’s Matt Hardy came out to drive the pace car for Sunday’s elimination event.
Hardy, who is best known competing under the “Hardy Boyz” alongside brother Jeff, made his wrestling debut in 1992 and currently stands as an ambassador for the WWE, promoting the 2019 Royal Rumble that will be held in Phoenix on January 27, 2019.
However, With an Alma mater at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Hardy grew up in the hub of NASCAR. The 44-year-old was pumped to be at his first NASCAR race on Sunday.
“I’ve been around races and at racetracks but I’ve never been to a full-fledged NASCAR race,” Hardy told Kickin’ The Tires. “This is a cool experience.”
Attending ISM Raceway’s debut weekend following a $178-million renovation, Hardy never thought he would pace the field to green on the racetrack.
“I love doing stuff like this,” he said. “I love traveling and interacting. Now, being able to have the opportunity to do something I’ve never done before. I am the pace car driver, that’s something I never expected I would do.
.@MATTHARDYBRAND prepares to drive the pace car this afternoon @ISMRaceway! #CanAm500 @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/9vQSOqQXtR
— WWE (@WWE) November 11, 2018
“It’s one of those cool things I never expected to do but I am getting to do. That’s one of the advantages of being a WWE superstar.”
Seeing the sport of NASCAR firsthand, Hardy was able to see where racing and wrestling converge. One area? The importance of rivalry, a factor that has deep roots in both divisions.
“It’s one of the reasons fans watch so much,” he said. “It pushes everyone to be better. Rivalries are important, as long as they are good and healthy. It’s a positive thing.”
With NASCAR pushing new ideas for improving the quality of the fan experience, Hardy has one idea in mind that may help both parties… or not.
“It would be amazing to have a full-fledged NASCAR event with only WWE superstars driving,” he said. “Opposed to picking out numbers for Royal Rumble, we pick out numbers and you get in that racecar. You can have some interesting crossover there.”
What happens when @MATTHARDYBRAND drives the “car of pace” at a sold out @NASCAR event at @ISMRaceway? Take a look for yourself, it was WONDERFUL! #CanAm500 pic.twitter.com/PPWvRQBEJI
— WWE (@WWE) November 11, 2018
When the day ends, the leading factor in sports is fan enjoyment. Entertainment. Excitement. These are tent poles for both wrestling and racing and Hardy is proud to see NASCAR and ISM join in on-trend as well as the WWE.
“This ISM facility is utterly amazing, extraordinary,” he said. “But I definitely think the WWE is much more family-friendly and kid-driven now than it has ever been. A lot of that mirrors society and what we have done in general. Things are more family-friendly in general.
“The WWE is doing a good job of growing because there is not only a television show on USA and FOX, but there’s the WWE Network, social media is outrageous.
“I feel blessed to be here at this point in my career.”
Met lots of DELIGHTFUL folks yesterday at @NASCAR’s #CanAm500. Had a blast.@justinhartley @skeetme1 @jakeowen @CrashGladys @kennysargent @KennyAndCrash pic.twitter.com/QbgDhtBcc0
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) November 12, 2018
Thanks for your DELIGHTFUL hospitality, @NASCAR & @ISMRaceway. Had an absolute BLAST racing around your track today & driving The Car of Pace.
And fortunately, I did not DELETE my vehicle! pic.twitter.com/exSMp1gPVq
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) November 11, 2018
(Below is a video capture of our conversation with Matt Hardy)
