UFCJC Journalism Junior Covers Her First Daytona 500 Race
At the start of my junior year, I made a decision. I wanted to work as a motorsports journalist. The only problem was that I had never covered any sport before.
It was a big shift from the environment and entertainment stories I had written for WUFT News, but the excitement I felt at the idea was impossible to ignore. I discovered Formula 1 at the end of 2023, but it wasn’t until the following summer that I felt something reignite in me. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced since I was a kid. Growing up, I spent a decade attending the NASCAR races at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Motorsports had always been there. I just hadn’t realized how much I missed it.
With that in mind, I knew I needed to make a switch, and fast.
This year, I began an independent study on motorsports reporting with University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Journalism Sports Lecturer Ryan Hunt. When I first approached him about the idea last November, I never could have guessed what my first assignment would be. The first race I ever covered just so happened to be one of the biggest in motorsports: the Daytona 500. No warm-ups, no easing in. Just straight into the deep end, trackside at the Great American Race.
What a way to start.
Despite my nerves, it was truly a dream to not only attend the race but to cover it as part of the NASCAR College Program. Being a part of the program allowed me the same media access and resources as any other professional reporting on the race.
I spent three days at the speedway. From the moment I stepped inside, it was overwhelming in the best way possible. Walking into the media center for the first time on Friday morning, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Outside, the grandstands towered like a colosseum of racing, surrounded by tailgating fans in their decked-out RVs. The roar of V8 engines filled the air, the smell of burnt rubber lingered, and drivers passed by just feet away. It was a sensory overload; unlike anything I had experienced before.
At first, I wasn’t sure where to begin, so I wandered, taking in everything around me. I half-expected someone to question why I was there, but no one did. Slowly, the media center became familiar, and by the end of the weekend, the press conference room felt like my home base. I spent Friday and Saturday introducing myself to reporters and staff, gradually earning nods and smiles from those who had once been strangers.
From The Athletic to the Orlando Sentinel, I met reporters from news organizations all over the country. But it was the Associated Press team—Mark Long, Jenna Fryer and Dan Gelston—from which I learned the most. Observing them do their jobs and asking questions was an invaluable experience I’ll carry with me forever.
There were many moments of uncertainty. I worried about asking stupid questions. I probably looked clueless at times. But I reminded myself that I had made it this far for a reason and focused on my reporting.
Not every story worked out. But in losing one, I found another. I wrote about the sculptor behind the Harley J. Earl Trophy, a story I never expected to tell but one that became one of the most valuable learning experiences of my career.
Race day was electric. I posted live updates on my Instagram story, capturing the atmosphere and action as it unfolded. I created a reel previewing my coverage, then used the rain delay to write my trophy story. I also wrote a race recap for WRUF ESPN Gainesville on William Byron’s second consecutive 500 victory and gathered content for future pieces.
Some of my favorite moments from race day:
- Anthony Mackie’s press conference as Grand Marshal
- Pitbull’s pre-race performance, bringing the energy only Mr. 305 can
- Fans flooding the track ahead of the race
- The checkered-flag finish, with Byron securing his second Daytona 500 victory
- The celebrations at Victory Lane
After capturing the post-race celebrations, I headed back to the media center to await the winner’s press conference. I had been hoping to talk to Byron all weekend since I wanted to write a story about sim racing as a pathway to professional racing—something Byron has firsthand experience with through iRacing.
The only issue, my stomach was in knots. I was terrified at the idea of messing up in front of a room full of professionals.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” Hunt asked.
“Humiliation,” I responded without hesitation.
“For a few seconds,” he reminded me.
With that and a handful of encouraging smiles from him, I asked Byron a question.
“Your love of racing is rooted in your early years of iRacing. You’re now a back-to-back Daytona 500 winner. What have you learned on your journey here and what would you say to the kid in their room who dreams of being a driver but can only start with a sim rig?”
Byron’s face lit up.
“That excites me thinking about young kids and their passions,” he said. “Whatever it is you’re interested in, you just have to go for it and just continue to do it no matter what anyone says. I feel like it’s all about your passion for something, and I knew racing was what I wanted to do. I had no passion for anything else. This is what I stuck to and loved.”
So, I asked Byron a question and the world kept spinning. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine—forever cemented in the transcript.
But what struck me the most wasn’t just accomplishing my goal of getting a quote for my story, it was how much Byron’s words resonated with me. I had spent the entire weekend pushing past my doubts, proving to myself that I belonged. And in that moment, it felt like Byron was reassuring me that I was on the right path. That passion is what pushes you forward. That if you love something enough, you keep going, no matter what.
I had many firsts this weekend, all of which I’ll never forget. For the first time, I truly felt like a motorsports reporter.
Category: College News, Profiles
Tagged: Jessica Garcete Ryan Hunt Sports@CJC
Subscribe to our News Digest
