Story Summary
At the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour in Las Vegas, NHL players tested their driving skills on a Sim Coaches racing simulator set to Daytona International Speedway. Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski, Calgary Flames forward Matt Coronato and Seattle Kraken centre Matty Beniers were among the players who raced; professional stock car driver Noah Gragson raced alongside them while conducting interviews.
Key Facts
- Event: NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour in Las Vegas.
- Simulator: Sim Coaches racing simulator simulating Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
- Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman) spun out on lap eight and finished 39th out of 40 in an 11-lap race.
- Matt Coronato (Calgary Flames forward) finished 37th in his 11-lap race.
- Matty Beniers was in 10th place and racing towards first before he hit the wall.
- Noah Gragson, a professional stock car racing driver who competes full time in the NASCAR Cup Series, raced while wearing hockey gloves to level the playing field.
- Gragson quoted: ” It’s awesome,” and praised players’ competitiveness and focus.
- Gragson has 13 wins in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and no wins in the Cup Series.
- Brady Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) had the best single-lap time on Tuesday at 48.1 seconds but spun out and did not finish that race.
- Gragson’s best lap in the simulator was 47.9 seconds and he said he could break 46 seconds.
- Before Gragson arrived, Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning forward), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres forward) and Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes defenceman) each finished first in their respective 11-lap simulator races on Tuesday.
IHM Discussion
The simulator session in Las Vegas offered the NHL a visible example of its cross-sport collaboration strategy. Pairing players with an active NASCAR driver created a direct connection between hockey and stock car racing. Players treated the activity seriously: Guentzel, Thompson and Slavin won their respective races, while Coronato said Gragson’s advice helped him improve.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly framed the collaboration in strategic terms, saying the league is looking for ” different and unique ways to do business and to expand the reach of the sport and cross promotion of sports.” The simulator session matched that approach by bringing NHL players and NASCAR together in the same setting.
Why It Matters
Cross-sport events can introduce hockey to audiences who may follow NASCAR more closely. The simulator session also showed players’ competitive instincts away from the rink, through lap times, spins, wins and their exchanges with Gragson.
Mini Q&A
What was the simulator set to and where does it normally exist?
The Sim Coaches racing simulator was simulating Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Which NHL players are mentioned as participating?
Zach Werenski, Matt Coronato, Matty Beniers, Jake Guentzel, Tage Thompson, Jaccob Slavin, Brady Tkachuk and Jack Hughes are among the players mentioned.
How did Zach Werenski and Matt Coronato fare in the 11-lap race?
Zach Werenski spun out on lap eight and finished 39th out of 40; Matt Coronato finished 37th.
Who raced and coached the players, and what are his credentials?
Noah Gragson raced and provided tips; he competes full time in the NASCAR Cup Series and has 13 wins in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Which players won their respective 11-lap races on Tuesday?
Jake Guentzel, Tage Thompson and Jaccob Slavin each finished first in their respective 11-lap races on Tuesday.
What did NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly say about these collaborations?
Bill Daly said the league is looking for ” different and unique ways to do business and to expand the reach of the sport and cross promotion of sports,” and noted that sports not closely competitive to hockey are good opportunities for partnership.
Coach Mark Comment
The simulator created a simple competitive setting: players had to stay composed, process immediate feedback and adjust quickly. Those are familiar demands for elite athletes, even when the task is away from the rink.
IHM Final View
The Las Vegas simulator session showed how the NHL can use cross-sport collaborations to create competitive moments away from the rink. With players, Gragson and Daly all contributing, the event gave the partnership a clear hockey-facing presence.