Celebrities participate in various sports at charity events, including golf, tennis, and more. Becoming famous has many advantages, and car-related hobbies are common for stars to pursue. Having the role of an action hero in a movie is one thing but doing something dangerous in real life is quite another. Some believe that to become a wealthy racer, you must first become a billionaire, which may explain why celebrities usually become famous before taking to the track, although this isn’t always true. A few thrill-seeking superstars are everywhere, and they’re not satisfied with merely fame and wealth; they want to feel the adrenaline pouring through their veins, and racing is the perfect pastime to do it. Take a look at these quick-witted celebrities from the last several decades!
1. Paul Walker
He is not only known as one of the Fast and Furious stars but he was also dubbed the James Dean of his generation because he had a deep love for vehicles and was frequently photographed in them. But his passion for automobiles is not just an act of fashion; in real life, he owned more than 30 cars, including a Ferrari and a Porsche. Paul Walker participated in the Redline Time Attack series, driving a BMW E92 M3 “Street Tire Class.” He won the title for his racing team and his friend and business partner, Roger Rodas. He also had the same faith Paul Walker did; he also died in a horrific vehicle accident. Paul also competed in the Pirelli World Challenge Series in a Ford Mustang Boss Mustang.
2. Patrick Demsey
Dempsey is most known for playing Dr. McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy, but he’s also a talented race car driver who competed in numerous races. Artist and former Grey’s Anatomy and Transformers: Dark of the Moon co-star is more than just a pretty face. Even if he lacks the innate talent of Walter Cronkite or James Dean, he more than makes up for it with zeal and perseverance. In addition to the Baja 1000, Dempsey has competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of LeMans. He says he could easily give it up in favor of IndyCar racing when it comes to his acting career. Patrick Dempsey may have perished in a car accident on Grey’s Anatomy, but he is still alive and racing today. With nearly 70 races under his belt, he’s the most experienced celebrity racer on the list. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship, Grand-Am, the ALMS, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship are just some of the races he’s competed in despite his late start. Nine podiums were achieved during his racing career, which saw him drive a Porsche 911, Mazda RX8, Aston Martin Vantage, and Oreca FLM09. Even if he has stepped away from racing, he is still rather respectable in the racing book!
3. Rowan Atkinson
The showbiz industry was surprised about a decade ago when it discovered that Mr. Bean was an avid automobile enthusiast; this revelation happened when one of his vehicles became up for sale. Mr. Bean is a genuine automotive enthusiast may be hard for some to believe. Cars aren’t simply Rowan Atkinson’s hobby; they are his life. He smashed his McLaren F1 twice in the racing circuit, for those who haven’t heard. However, the F1 is notoriously difficult to drive; therefore, this does not reflect his abilities as a driver. Atkinson has raced everything from historic cars to modern Aston Martins at the Goodwood Historic Races and other events in the UK to satiate his thirst for speed. While driving a Renault 5 Turbo in a manufacturer-spec series in the 1980s, he wrote for several automobile publications.
4. Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner was a world-class athlete long before she was “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and co-heading the multibillion-dollar Jenner clan. She is a decathlon gold winner. However, many people are unaware that she was also a professional racing car driver before becoming a Wheaties ambassador and breaking into reality television.
According to Sportscasting, Jenner began training with a professional squad in Riverside, California, led by former racing car driver Jim Busby. When asked about Jenner, Busby was generous in his praise, saying, “[She] appeared to be technically impressive… “
According to The Drive, she raced professionally less than a year later for the first time. She participated in one of the most intense and possibly dangerous races, the 24 Hours of Daytona, at speeds over 200 mph, where even long-time pros can perish. She and her teammates finished 56th. According to Sportcasting, Jenner was offered NASCAR’s historic number 88, which had previously been worn by racing legends Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt Jr., through talent and celebrity power. Darrell Waltrip’s team offered number 88 to Jenner many times after he gave it up in 1980.
5. Paul Newman
The most well-known racer is Paul Newman. His passion for motorsports started from his role as an Indycar driver in the film Winning, which follows an aspirational Indianapolis 500 contender. In 1972, he made his racing debut in a Lotus Elan in Connecticut after starring in the film. When Newman shot Haas, he founded Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. The most successful team in IndyCar history.
He won second place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 935 with colleague Rolf Stommelen. In 1977, he finished fifth overall in the Daytona 24 Hours and won the GT1 class at 70. He was the oldest driver on a victorious Daytona team at seventy. Even towards the end of his life, Newman continued to race, using an age-appropriate number.
Among Newman’s victories are SCCA D-Production (1976), C-Production (1979), and GT1 (1985, 1986). In 1978, he formed Newman Racing alongside Keke Rosberg and Al Unser Sr. as a Can-Am team. Newman/Haas Racing was created in 1983 when the Can-Am series was discontinued. Eight championships were won by Newman/Haas, including four with Sebastien Bourdais, over two decades in CART and Champ Car. He was instrumental in helping Nigel Mansell win, during the 1990s, in CART 1993, which fueled international interest in the racing championship.
In the early years of the breakaway championship, Newman fought against Tony George’s rival Indy Racing League. Newman fought for Champ Car’s merger in the 2000s and returned to Indianapolis in May as a symbol of that effort. As late as 2003, Newman competed in Daytona 24 Hours and won SCCA GT events. In recent years, his most significant position was in the Newman/Haas team, but he remained racing into his 80s. Outside of racing, Newman was well-known for his philanthropic efforts. In addition to his Hole in the Wall Camps for ailing children, he leveraged his motorsport ties to promote various charitable projects.