April 11, 2025 — NASCAR simulator: 1, MLB stars: 0.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies recently gave a NASCAR simulator a spin, and let’s just say the results were… entertainingly familiar. Just days after Cincinnati Reds’ electric shortstop Elly De La Cruz went viral for bouncing off the virtual walls in his own racing attempt, Albies climbed into the simulator seat with big confidence — and came out with equally big laughs.
Video clips of the moment show Albies grinning as he settles into the high-tech racing rig, only to find out within seconds that controlling a stock car at high speeds is a different ballgame — literally. A few wild turns, a couple of full-throttle crashes, and some unmistakable “what just happened?” reactions later, the All-Star infielder had fans and teammates cracking up.
“It felt like I was flying, but I couldn’t turn for anything!” Albies said, laughing as he climbed out. “I got a new respect for what those guys do out there. It’s not easy. I’ll stick to baseball.”
The moment added to a growing trend of pro athletes from other sports trying their hand at virtual NASCAR — with varying degrees of success. Elly De La Cruz’s chaotic simulator run went viral earlier this week, with fans nicknaming him “The Human Caution Flag.” Now, Albies joins the club of big-league drivers (pun fully intended) who’ve discovered the unforgiving nature of racing lines and brake timing.
NASCAR responded playfully on social media, posting side-by-side clips of Elly and Ozzie’s simulator chaos with the caption: “Baseball speed doesn’t always translate.”
Fans loved it, and many are now calling for a full-blown MLB vs. NASCAR simulator challenge. Some even pitched the idea of drivers like Chase Elliott or Bubba Wallace coaching MLB stars through a few virtual laps — or vice versa, throwing a batting challenge into the mix.
While Albies may not be ready to trade cleats for fire suits just yet, his attempt shows exactly why NASCAR simulators have become a fan-favorite crossover: chaos, competition, and comedy all in one seat.
So who’s next? Juan Soto? Shohei Ohtani? One thing’s for sure — if this trend keeps up, the simulator might need a few extra caution flags.
#OzzieAlbies | #NASCARSim | #MLBMeetsNASCAR | #VirtualWrecks | #EllyDidItToo
