NASCAR drivers shocked by fanfare at NYC-based Fanatics Fest

Some of NASCAR’s biggest stars were among the high-profile celebrities at Fanatics Fest on Friday in New York.

The Big Apple is not exactly a hotbed for auto racing – especially when most of the loudest crowds popped for Derek Jeter, Eli Manning and other New York legends throughout the weekend.

However, three of the sport’s biggest stars were flabbergasted by the reactions they got from some of the fans in attendance. 

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From left to right, William Byron, Denny Hamilin and Kyle Larson. (Getty Images)

“I didn’t really, honestly, know what I was coming to. So to have people recognize me here is pretty cool,” Kyle Larson told Fox News Digital at the event.

NASCAR Cup leader William Byron added that he was “surprised” by all the love he got at Javits Center in Manhattan.

“I am surprised, man. There were quite a few 24 fans here in the crowd. It’s pretty cool, man. We’re down the road this weekend at Pocono, looking forward to it, and it’s fun being out here and seeing cool people.”

William Byron celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Denny Hamlin is competing in the Fanatics Games, where fans are going up against pro athletes, including Tom Brady, to win $1 million. Maybe his crowd is a bit different, considering he is going up against Brady, Rob Gronkowski and other stars.

At the very least, however, he is not taking it for granted that he is being recognized throughout the event.

“It’s been overwhelming. Just all the different booths, bringing other sports together, it’s just fantastic to see. And having the opportunity to size myself up with other athletes,” Hamlin said. “We don’t have a huge presence up in this area, but still, you see a lot of NASCAR racing shirts, and when you get autograph requests, it’s like, OK, they do recognize you, even in this area.”

Other celebrities in attendance on Friday included Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Logan Paul, Michael Strahan, Travis Scott and Livvy Dunne.

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, left, and Travis Scott attend Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York City. (John Nacion/Getty Images for Fanatics)

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LeBron James, Victor Wembanyana and numerous others made their rounds the rest of the weekend.

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