NASCAR’s Kenseth surprises Chicago cab riders

Most people know Wisconsin native and Daytona 500 Champion, Matt Kenseth, as one of NASCAR’s premier drivers. Things were slightly different last week, however, when some riders in Chicago got to know him as a cab driver.

The “Chase Cab”, celebrating the start of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet this season, picked up passengers last Thursday in the downtown Chicago expecting an ordinary trip. What they received was anything but, as they climbed into the No. 17 cab to see the 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion armed with trivia questions rather than a GPS. Questions ranged from NASCAR history to his beloved Green Bay Packers, but the constant was a group of shocked passengers.

“The Chase Cab was interesting,” said Kenseth. “We had a lot people come in looking for a ride somewhere, but instead they got to answer some questions and get some cool prizes from Chicagoland Speedway.”

After Kenseth finished his taxi duties, he headed to the W Chicago Lakeshore to surprise a Chicagoland Speedway season ticket holder, Rick Riegler, with some one-on-one time.

“It was great to see Rick’s reaction. It’s not every day the reigning Daytona 500 Champion drops in on your lunch,” said Chicagoland Speedway president Scott Paddock. “One of our goals is to provide ‘once in a lifetime’ moments for our season ticket holders, and I think this was something Rick won’t soon forget.”