Bert Kreischer is using the buildup to the 2026 NASCAR season opener to try to bring a new high-profile fan into the sport.
Speaking with TMZ Sports ahead of the Daytona 500, the comedian said he hopes to get podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan interested in NASCAR through Kreischer’s pre-race Full Throttle Festival.
Kreischer, who is hosting the festival the night before the Daytona 500, acknowledged that Rogan has never been a traditional NASCAR follower but believes the sport is a natural fit for him.
“He doesn’t really follow NASCAR,” Kreischer said. “And I would love for him to get into NASCAR. He loves cars, he loves racing, he just isn’t a NASCAR guy.”
When asked whether he thinks Rogan could be won over, Kreischer expressed confidence, noting that Rogan has warmed up to other sports in the past.
“He doesn’t really follow NASCAR,” he said, before pointing to football as an example, crediting comedian Shane Gillis with helping spark Rogan’s interest.
The timing, Kreischer explained, could not be better. The Full Throttle Festival, presented by Mando, takes place on the eve of the Daytona 500, the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR season. The event will feature live performances from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Diplo, along with a stand-up set from Kreischer himself.
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The festival also features a wide range of major brands and celebrity partners. Shaquille O’Neal is taking part through his Shaq-A-Licious gummies, while Jason and Travis Kelce are set to promote their Garage Beer.
Additional sponsors and partners include FUEL by Franzia, Jack Link’s, LUCY, Blind Lemon, and Beat Box. Tickets for the event are priced at $75.
Joe Rogan Addresses Golden Globes Podcast Nomination Process
Kreischer’s NASCAR push comes as Rogan recently addressed another topic that has drawn public attention: his absence from the 2026 Golden Globes Best Podcast nominees.
During a January 29 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience featuring Kreischer, Rogan clarified that his show was never submitted for consideration.
Rogan explained that the Golden Globes required a submission fee, which he chose not to pay. “A lot of people say, ‘Why wasn’t Joe Rogan nominated for the Golden Globes? Why did Amy Poehler win?’ I didn’t submit,” Rogan said.
He added that he was asked to pay $500 as part of the submission process, but declined.
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Audience data placed The Joe Rogan Experience among the top 25 most-listened-to podcasts eligible for the category, yet it did not appear among the final six nominees. Rogan, who is estimated to have a net worth of $250 million, emphasized that the decision not to submit was deliberate and definitive.
