NASCAR stars are showing up at Daytona grocery stores, auto shops and pool parties

NASCAR “driver appearances” were once so common, you couldn’t avoid them on any milk-and-bread run, not to mention a swing by the local auto parts store.

Well, this week in Daytona , you can meet two former champions as well as the two best NASCAR racers to win everything BUT a championship.

Along the way, you can meet a driver at a pool party.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who recently released an autobiography — “Never Lift” — will be among the big names you can find Thursday at one of the old staples of NASCAR partnerships: Winn-Dixie.

His fellow famous non-champ, Denny Hamlin, can also be found there.

A pair of current racers who include NASCAR Cup Series championship trophies among their man-cave hardware can be found at your next trip for motor oil or wiper blades.

But only one racer can be found alongside a lush poolside, which is also beachside, in the Daytona area this weekend.

Looking for a rundown? You got it.

Mark Martin goes to Winn-Dixie on Thursday

Here’s the Thursday schedule at the Holly Hill Winn-Dixie at 1541 North Nova Road:

Mark Martin will sign copies of his book from 3-4 p.m., but that’s not all. The first 150 fans who get in line will receive a free copy. Current O’Reilly Series driver Lavar Scott will also be there.

Never Lift pic.twitter.com/WIm7KGgYXi

— Mark Martin (@markmartin) August 9, 2026 Friday at the same Winn-Dixie: Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin

Ross Chastain will meet fans (and some random shoppers?) beginning at 12:20 p.m. The first 75 fans will receive a wristband which will be needed to attain an autograph from “Ross the Boss,” while one of his “show cars” will also be on display.

Denny Hamlin, currently leading the Cup Series standings as he approaches another shot at a long-awaited championship, will arrive at 1:30 for an autograph session. The first 150 fans will get the needed wristband.

Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano … and wiper blades?

These two drivers, looking to add to their championship haul (Blaney has one, Logano has three) will be at the ISB Advance Auto Parts store beginning at noon Friday, several hours before qualifying for the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Here are the details from the PR team: The first 150 people in line with a receipt indicating a purchase made that day from this store will receive a meet-and-greet pass. Passes will be distributed beginning at 10 a.m. to customers in line with a valid same-day receipt. No minimum purchase is required.

Address for the store: 2220 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach.

Cocktail hour with Ryan Preece

Ryan Preece, who sits one spot back of the playoff cutline, is set for an important weekend, and it will begin at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits in Port Orange (1198 Dunlawton Avenue).

From 2-3:30 p.m. Friday, Preece will meet fans, take photos and sign autographs in an event organized by Kickstand Cocktails.

Natalie Decker invites you to a pool party

Part-time driver Natalie Decker isn’t racing this weekend, but she’s still coming to Daytona Beach. Much of her off-track PR work is done in a bikini, and it seems some of that will take place Saturday, in the hours before the 400-miler, across the river alongside the beach.

Decker once won an ARCA pole at Daytona and once finished fifth in a Daytona truck race. She’ll do neither this week, but she will meet and greet fans at the Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach Shores.

At the pool, of course.

It begins at 10 a.m., and Natalie is scheduled to be around until 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 apiece with proceeds benefiting the local Marine Science Center. There will be a DJ, along with booze and food that’s not included in the $25 entry.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR stars are showing up at Daytona grocery stores, auto shops and pool parties