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The eight-year-old version of Brad Keselowski was still smiling Wednesday morning after checking a big item off the bucket list. 

Keselowski, the Rochester Hills, Mich. native and 2012 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion, visited his favorite childhood hockey team – the Detroit Red Wings – on Tuesday evening as they hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Playing their final season at Joe Louis Arena before moving into their new home at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit, the Red Wings welcomed Keselowski to the historic venue as part of a Detroit media tour to promote the upcoming 59th annual Daytona 500. 

Among the highlights of the event were visiting the unique setting of the FOX Sports Detroit set inside “The Joe,” which sits above a concession stand on the concourse level, exchanging jerseys with Red Wings legend, Hockey Hall of Famer and Team Penske fan, Larry Murphy, and riding the Miller Lite Zamboni during the first intermission. Keselowski and Murphy took in the game – which unfortunately resulted in a 3-2 overtime loss by the Wings – from the Miller Lite Party Deck. 

Despite the game’s outcome, Keselowski was honored to visit the arena one last time and enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience with one of the team’s that meant so much to him growing up.

“My two favorite sports teams, being from the state of Michigan, are the Michigan Wolverines and the Detroit Red Wings,” said Keselowski. “It was almost impossible to grow up in Detroit, especially during the 90s, and not pull for the Red Wings. I was a big Steve Yzerman fan. A big Larry Murphy fan. With our season starting next week, this will be the last time I get to come to Joe Louis Arena to see them play and I am definitely honored to be here.”

The unofficial start of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season begins next Saturday, February 18, with the Clash at Daytona all-star event. The Daytona 500 can be seen live on Sunday, February 26, at 2 pm ET on FOX.