Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg appeared at Texas Motor Speedway for the Wurth 400
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NBA Star Cooper Flagg Serves Honorary NASCAR Role at Texas Motor Speedway

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Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg took a joy ride at Texas Motor Speedway before the Wurth 400.

Videos by Wide Open Country

Fresh off securing the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Flagg served as the honorary pace driver for Sunday's NASCAR race.

As he led the 38-car field in a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette, NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin playfully interacted with the teenage NBA star.

Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan, pulled out of his fourth-place position and briefly drove adjacent to Flagg.

Hamlin then slowed, moved into the same lane Flagg was in, and tailed his bumper before the green flag.

NASCAR drivers have frequently ribbed famous pace drivers in the past, and the Mavericks star was the latest trolling victim.

Before the race, Flagg shared a thrilling moment with fellow 19-year-old, NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch.

Several hours before Flagg led the field as the pace driver, the former Duke star zipped around the track as Zilisch's passenger.

"We got going pretty fast, and I think half the ride I was more scared of what was going on," Flagg said. "I've never been in a car going that fast, so it was pretty cool."

During their speedy trip around Texas Motor Speedway, Flagg said the two chatted about life as budding pro athletes.

"I don't know much about racing, but I think just being able to connect on the fact that we're both young in our respective sports ... that was really cool. To be able to talk to someone that's going through a lot of similar things at a time in your life," Flagg said. "There's just not many people that have been through this type of stuff at this age, so I think it was cool to connect on that."

During his eventful trip to Texas Motor Speedway, Flagg also hung out with NASCAR legends

Flagg attended the Wurth 400 with his parents, who, he told a

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