Devlin DeFrancesco, a Canadian professional racer, is grieving the loss of his beloved golden retriever, Lucky. The tragic incident occurred at the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona race in Florida, marking a somber start to the 2024 racing season. DeFrancesco and his partner Katie had welcomed Lucky into their lives just five months prior, making the loss even more devastating.
Lucky had traveled to the event with DeFrancesco and was staying in the driver’s motorhome at the track when the heartbreaking accident took place. The dog was run over the night before the race began, leaving DeFrancesco and Katie in deep mourning for the unexpected loss of their cherished pet.
Despite the heavy grief, DeFrancesco remained in the race with the unwavering support of his team, Forte Racing. The No.78 Lamborghini, driven by DeFrancesco, suffered damage in a crash early in the race but was repaired and sent back out onto the track.
The 24 Hours of Daytona serves as the launch pad for the global motorsport season, attracting drivers from around the world to compete across five classes. Notable names such as Matt Campbell, Scott McLaughlin, and Kenny Habul represent Australia, while drivers from New Zealand including Scott Dixon, Brendon Hartley, and Earl Bamber are also participating.
In a surprising turn of events, the race has also become a setting to film scenes for Brad Pitt’s upcoming Formula One movie, resulting in heightened security measures and some disruptions for the competing drivers. Despite the distractions, the competition at the 24 Hours of Daytona remains fierce, with drivers working tirelessly to secure their positions.
As the race progresses, it is evident that the motorsport world is filled with passion and dedication, highlighted by the resilience of DeFrancesco and his team in the face of personal tragedy. The 24 Hours of Daytona is not just a race, but an emotional journey for everyone involved.
