Ricky Stenhouse Jr. describes life as a Daytona 500 champion

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. added his name to a prestigious list to start the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 36-year-old took home the checkered flag at the Daytona 500, getting his year started in incredible fashion.

It sounds cliche, but it’s true. When you win the Daytona 500, life changes a little bit for NASCAR drivers. Stenhouse has experienced that first-hand since claiming the victory in February.

“It’s been nice. It’s nice being introduced as a Daytona 500 champion. Just knowing we were — especially that week — representing the sport and the 75th anniversary and getting it kicked off,” Stenhouse told FOX’s Bob Pockrass.

“You know, we’ve had a great season, great turnouts, great crowd, great viewership. So, it was really cool to kinda kick off the season as the Daytona 500 champion, being able to represent the sport of NASCAR. And then going forward, going to all the appearances, I get reminded every day that we won the Daytona 500, which is not a bad idea.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. describes life as a Daytona 500 champion and where he has put the trophy at his house. pic.twitter.com/kXd6tbStvk

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 3, 2023

The prestige of winning the Daytona 500 never really goes away. Stenhouse gets to associate his name with some of the best to ever drive a car in NASCAR. He says it’s a surreal feeling.

“I look at the people who won the Daytona 500, and you’re always a Daytona 500 champion every time they introduce you at Cup Series races,” he said. “For me, it’s unreal to be in that club. We worked really hard for that.”

Stenhouse’s victory was particularly impressive, starting the race in 31st. But sometimes, magic can happen at the “Great American Race.”

Where did Ricky Stenhouse Jr. put the Daytona 500 trophy?

When you accomplish something like winning the Daytona 500, there’s going to be a special spot for the trophy. Stenhouse was asked where he’s keeping that prestigious award.

“It’s between the living room and the kitchen,” he said. “We did some updating to our house recently and we took a lot of the trophies that I had sitting out and put those in a back room. But we definitely kept the Daytona 500 trophy front and center. We’re pretty proud of that.”

Not a bad spot to display the top prize.

In addition to winning this year’s Daytona 500, Stenhouse has also finished inside the top-10 on seven occasions. He owns a pair of top-five finishes, as well.

Stenhouse is a former Xfinity Series champion, winning on that circuit in 2011 and 2012.