NASCAR Trying to Identify Fan Who Interrupted Suarez Interview

The fan's actions on pit road at the Daytona 500 have drawn the ire of NASCAR officials.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A fan with pit road access at the Daytona 500 interrupted a post-race interview that FOX Deportes was conducting with driver Daniel Suarez. NASCAR is now trying to identify the fan, who slapped Suarez's shoulder and made a reference to former President Donald Trump or driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. while the interview was being filmed. NASCAR officials say the fan's actions were a major breach of the credentialing agreement and that there will be serious consequences if the individual is identified.

Why it matters

NASCAR grants fans unprecedented access to its drivers and teams compared to other major sports leagues, but this incident shows how that access can be abused. The sanctioning body takes these types of violations very seriously, as they could jeopardize the safety of drivers and the integrity of televised interviews.

The details

As Suarez was being interviewed by FOX Deportes on pit road following the Daytona 500, a fan with pit road access leaned into the microphone, looked at the camera, and said "47, 47, baby" while slapping Suarez's shoulder. NASCAR officials believe the fan was referencing either former President Donald Trump, the 47th president, or driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who drives the No. 47 car. Interrupting a televised interview and putting hands on a driver are major violations of NASCAR's credentialing policies.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, February 16, 2026, following the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

The players

Daniel Suarez

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who was being interviewed by FOX Deportes when the fan interrupted him.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The driver of the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, who finished second in the Daytona 500.

Donald Trump

The 47th president of the United States, whom the fan may have been referencing.

Mike Forde

A NASCAR communications official who says the sanctioning body is taking the incident seriously and investigating to identify the fan.

Amanda Ellis

Another member of the NASCAR communications team who hopes the fan will come forward and take responsibility for their actions.

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What they’re saying

“Our security team is aware. Tom Bryant is aware and is working with the security team, and if we do find out who this person is, it's certainly not going to end well for this particular person.”

— Mike Forde, NASCAR Communications Official (Hauler Talk Podcast)

“99% of the time [people with passes and access don't abuse it]. That everyone is there to have a good time. And then for someone to do this is really disappointing. We're looking into it, TBD if we're able to find out who this person is, but certainly an unfortunate incident that we are taking seriously and looking into.”

— Mike Forde, NASCAR Communications Official (Hauler Talk Podcast)

“Hopefully, whoever this particular gentleman is, there's a part of me that hopes he does the right thing and makes a phone call and turns himself in, and you know, lets people know who he is. That may end up a lot better in his world if he does that versus having a viral video and never owning up that you were that guy.”

— Amanda Ellis, NASCAR Communications Official (Hauler Talk Podcast)

What’s next

NASCAR has not announced any changes to the credentialing process for this weekend's events at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA, but the sanctioning body is taking the incident seriously and is working to identify the fan who interrupted the Suarez interview.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance NASCAR must strike between providing fans with unprecedented access to its drivers and teams, while also maintaining the safety and integrity of its events. The fan's actions were a clear violation of NASCAR's credentialing policies, and the sanctioning body is determined to identify the individual and ensure there are serious consequences for their behavior.