DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Carter Verhaeghe is known as a speedster on the ice.
So, it’s only fitting that he’d eventually end up at a racetrack.
Receiving one of the highest honors in NASCAR, the Florida Panthers forward served as the Grand Marshal of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.
“I’ve never been to a speedway or anything like this before,” Verhaeghe said. “It’s my first time, so it’s definitely a new experience. It was pretty cool to see the track and everything so close.”
Far more than just a visitor to the historic 2.5-mile track, Verhaeghe began his eventful day at Daytona by getting to talk shop with some of the drivers, including 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano, who grew up playing hockey before fully turning his attention to racing.
“He’s definitely a hockey fan,” Verhaeghe said of Logano, whose parents have owned and operated an ice rink in North Carolina for more than a decade. “I was talking to him a little bit.”
After snapping photos with a few fans, Verhaeghe then walked onto a stage near the center of the track, grabbed a microphone and shouted the four most-important words in all of NASCAR.
“Drivers, start your engines!”
Immediately after that, Verhaeghe hopped into a nearby pace car and was driven around the track as the entire field of 40 racers followed behind in tow. Following a few warmup laps, his car then quickly veered off into the pitlane and the 160-lap race was officially off and running.
“The pace car was really cool,” said Verhaeghe, who was especially impressed by the incredibly sharp 31-degree banking of the track’s turns. “It was definitely really cool to be on the track and see what the drivers saw and seeing the fans in the stands. It definitely was a cool experience.”
It also left him with a newfound appreciation for the drivers in NASCAR.
“They’re going so fast down there and it’s so loud,” Verhaeghe said. “I don’t know how they fit all those cars on that tiny track. Just being out there [in the pace car], you see how small it is. For guys to make moves and stuff, it’s really crazy. They’re definitely really, really skilled drivers.”
Pretty soon, it’ll be Verhaeghe’s turn to show off his skills.
With the Panthers set to hit the ice in a few weeks to begin preparing for the upcoming 2022-23 season, Verhaeghe, who registered career-highs in goals (24), assists (31) and points (55) last campaign before taking his game to another level in the playoffs, is itching for the puck to drop.
“I’m so excited,” said Verhaeghe, who led the Panthers to their first playoff series win since 1996 by setting single-series franchise records for both goals (6) and points (12) against the Washington Capitals in Round 1. I felt like the season didn’t end the right way last year, so I’m just excited to get going again. I had my break and I’m just counting down the days right now.”
As for NASCAR, his first race likely won’t be his last.
“I’ve learned quite a bit since I’ve been here just by asking a lot of questions,” Verhaeghe said. “I’ve never really gotten into it, so maybe they’ve got a new fan out of me. I’ve got to get into it.”
The Panthers will kick off the 2022-23 season at FLA Live Arena against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 19, 2022. The first 10,000 fans through the doors will receive a commemorative magnet schedule courtesy of Bally Sports Florida. Click HERE to purchase your tickets today!
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