A Night of Speed and Spaghetti
When the clock struck nearly 7:30 p.m. on a bustling Friday, the doors of Tiano’s Cucina Italiana swung open to reveal a familiar face from the world of stock cars. Bubba Wallace, the 32‑year‑old driver of the No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, stepped inside the Daytona Beach eatery, his presence sparking whispers among diners who had just been watching the final laps of the Coke Zero 400 at the nearby speedway.
Wallace, a three‑time NASCAR Cup Series winner and the first full‑time African‑American driver to compete at the series’ top level in half a century, has been a fixture in the sport for nine full seasons. He pilots the 23XI Racing entry co‑owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and fellow driver Denny Hamlin, a partnership that blends athletic ambition with entrepreneurial spirit.
The restaurant, founded in 2021 by Vittorio Tiano, a Naples native who brought authentic Italian flavors to Florida’s coast, has quickly become a local hotspot. In 2024 the family added a Wine Bar & Deli, stocked with imported Italian staples and house‑made deli items, and the venue now regularly welcomes racing personalities such as Caesar Bacarella, who have helped turn the modest trattoria into a de‑facto gathering place for the motorsport community.
Wallace’s low‑key dinner was more than a celebrity cameo; it illustrated how the roar of engines can ripple into the quiet hum of a family‑run kitchen. The sight of a high‑profile driver sharing a table with locals underscores the growing crossover where NASCAR’s reach extends beyond the track, feeding both the sport’s fan base and the small businesses that line the streets of Daytona Beach.
For Tiano, the night was a validation of his vision: to blend the warmth of Italian hospitality with the excitement of a racing weekend. As the restaurant’s wood‑fired ovens continued to churn out pizza, the unexpected visit added a dash of stardust to an already lively atmosphere, reminding patrons that even in the midst of high‑speed competition, there’s always room for a good meal and a good story.