Former NFL Lineman Jared Odrick Targets Second NASCAR Canada Series Start
The 38-year-old former Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars player prepares for the Markham street circuit following a 22nd-place debut in Trois-Rivieres.
Former NFL lineman Jared Odrick is set to compete in his second NASCAR Canada Series race on the streets of Markham, Ontario, this Saturday. The 38-year-old, who spent seven years in the league with the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, finished 22nd in his series debut at Trois-Rivieres last week.
Odrick’s transition from professional football to motorsport has required significant physical adjustment. The former Penn State draft pick has lost approximately 50 pounds since his playing days, reducing his weight from the 300-315 pound range to roughly 250 pounds, while maintaining a height of 6-foot-5. These dimensions present unique logistical hurdles within the cockpit.
During a virtual news conference, Odrick explained that the footbox in his race car had to be moved back several inches to accommodate his leg length. He also noted that sliding into the vehicle is difficult, though he utilises scar tissue from a previous torn labrum in his right shoulder to gain extra flexibility for ingress and egress.
His racing career began after a GT3 Porsche experience in Las Vegas, leading him to purchase a 901.1 Porsche Cup car for SCAA amateur racing four years ago. He has since progressed to competing in TransAm series events, where he has faced young NASCAR prospects such as Tristan McKee, Thomas Annunziata, and Brent Crews.
In his NASCAR Canada debut at Trois-Rivieres, Odrick ran competitively before being involved in a late-race wreck. He drove for BC Race Cars and expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance late in the event.
While Odrick has expressed a desire to eventually race in the NASCAR Cup Series, he stated he is not currently focused on that specific goal. His primary objective is to continue competing in any available series, whether in NASCAR’s international or national divisions.
Odrick, who resides in Toronto, said he does not miss playing football, describing it as a young man’s game. He aims to demonstrate that he can successfully switch sports, relying on medical support from a doctor who has treated him throughout his athletic career.
