Ricciardo realises Earnhardt NASCAR dream

Daniel Ricciardo was able to fulfil his childhood dream by driving Dale Earnhardt Sr's 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo around the Circuit of the Americas.

After winning a bet made with McLaren CEO Zak Brown following his arrival at the team by claiming a podium this season - winning the Italian GP - Ricciardo stepped behind the wheel of his hero's car ahead of final practice for the United States GP.

There was an initial false start as Ricciardo failed to turn over a car that won twice during seven-time NASCAR champion Earnhardt's 1984 campaign.

Once he got going, though, the famous Ricciardo smile never disappeared for the entire five laps that he enjoyed of the 3.4-mile Austin track, which included donuts to the delight of the fans looking on.

"It was a lot of fun," said Brown. "Definitely my car collection is driven by a passion for the sport and the famous iconic drivers, cars and teams.

"Motor racing is all about sport and entertainment and we're fortunate to have two drivers who like to have a lot of fun.

"Daniel is a huge Dale Sr fan, and it's a great moment to celebrate Daniel's victory, to give him an opportunity that's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

"It's great to be able to share our mutual passion for the sport around a car and a driver that is iconic, and to ultimately to put on a show for the fans.

"That's what we are here to do, is to entertain the fans and to share our passion for the sport with them, so it was a fun, enjoyable, memorable moment."

A deal’s a deal. ? @DanielRicciardo on track in Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Owned by @ZBrownCEO, this was the prize for his first podium in papaya colours! ?#USGP ??

pic.twitter.com/5Y3JzseYfy

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 23, 2021

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