From beach trips to the Super Bowl, here's what 12 NASCAR drivers did in their offseasons

NASCAR’s offseason is famously short, lasting from mid-November until early February. And with the Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway, an exhibition race, on Sunday, that offseason is officially over as drivers and their teams prepare for the season-opening Daytona 500 on February 16.

From traveling to the mountains to islands to the Super Bowl, drivers took advantage of what little time they had off to relax and have some fun with their friends and families. And, of course, plenty of them got back behind the wheel for a few offseason races.

So before the 2020 NASCAR season officially begins, here’s a look back at the highlights of how some drivers enjoyed their offseasons.

Kyle Busch

The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champ had a busy offseason because in addition to celebrating his second title, he and his family, Samantha and their son Brexton, took a trip to Cabo San Lucas, and he competed in the Rolex 24 At Daytona (also known as the 24 Hours of Daytona).

His team didn’t win, but he clearly enjoyed the experience in a sports car for the endurance race.

Clint Bowyer

Although it was a recent development, it’s possible nobody had a better weekend during the offseason than Clint Bowyer did over Super Bowl weekend. The diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan watched his team win the Super Bowl on Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers, and he documented his post-game celebrations on social media, thankfully.

He even caught up with Andy Reid and fellow superfan Eric Stonestreet.

It also appears he had a rough next day.

Kyle and Samantha Busch also went to the Super Bowl:

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr. actually curated an exhibit at the NASCAR Hall of Fame called “Dale Jr.: Glory Road Champions,” which opened in early January and features 18 championship cars.

Amy Earnhardt and their daughter, Isla, also got cars of their own. According to Amy’s Instagram, Dale Jr. surprised her with a 1966 El Camino for Christmas, and Isla, who will be two years old in April, showed off her driving skills too.

Dale Jr. and his XFINITY Series team, JR Motorsports, also announced his one race for 2020 will be at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March.

Jimmie Johnson

Almost immediately after the 2019 season ended, the seven-time Cup Series champion announced that the 2020 season will be his last full-time schedule. So really, this was his last offseason going into his 19 Cup season, but it doesn’t seem like he did anything differently.

He spent a lot of time in Aspen on the ski slopes, and he and his oldest daughter, 9-year-old Evie, competed together and were part of the winning team in an amateur skiing competition. Johnson said competing with her was “a highlight of 2019”.

Of course, there was some more traditional racing too.

Chase Elliott

NASCAR’s most popular driver went to the SEC championship game in December, only to watch his Georgia Bulldogs get rocked by LSU.

Kyle Larson

Like any other NASCAR offseason, Larson spent his time away from the Cup Series racing, and he crossed off a major bucket list accomplishment, winning his first Chili Bowl Nationals last month. It’s no secret that this was a huge goal of Larson’s, and his victory came a year after he lost a heartbreaker on the last lap.

“I’m sorry NASCAR, I’m sorry Daytona, but this is the biggest (expletive) race I’ve ever won,” Larson said, via NBC Sports. “I hope to win Daytona in a few weeks but this is bad ass.”

Brad Keselowski

Brad and Paige Keselowski’s family grew this offseason as they welcomed their second daughter, Autumn, to the world in December. The couple also have a 4-year-old daughter, Scarlett.

Denny Hamlin

The defending Daytona 500 champ underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder as soon as the 2019 season ended. Unsurprisingly after his recovery, he spent some time on the golf course.

Ryan Blaney

Blaney enjoyed the island life a little bit, jetting off to Turks And Caicos with friends, including Darrel “Bubba” Wallace Jr., William Byron and Daniel Hemric.

Daniel Suárez

Suárez finally locked down a full-time ride for the 2020 Cup Series season. After winning the 2016 XFINITY Series championship and splitting his first three Cup seasons between Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, Suárez was replaced by Cole Custer in the No. 41 Ford. However, with only a few weeks remaining in the offseason, it was announced that he will drive the No. 96 Toyota for Gaunt Brothers Racing.

Austin Dillon

Austin and Whitney Dillon announced they’re expecting their first child in June this year.

Matt DiBenedetto

Ahead of his first season with Wood Brothers Racing, the No. 21 Ford driver got matching giraffe costumes with his brother for Christmas.