Sometimes the best excuse is the one you didn't have to make up. NASCAR reporter Jamie Little proved that when a vintage clip of her accidentally snubbing John Cena at the 2016 Daytona 500 resurfaced, and she delivered a reply that could only be described as pitch-perfect.
The footage, which has been making the rounds on social media, shows Little approaching the WWE icon before the race. As she prepped for her segment, she turned away at the worst possible moment—her ponytail smacking Cena right in the face. The internet, predictably, ate it up.
The catchphrase that keeps on giving
Little didn't miss a beat when asked about the awkward encounter. With a wink and a nod to Cena's iconic "You can't see me" catchphrase, she quipped, “I didn’t see him.” It was the kind of self-aware humor that makes you wish every viral moment could be handled this gracefully.
But this isn't the first time the two have addressed the moment. Back in 2016, Little took to social media to apologize, writing, “How could I miss @JohnCena! We talked, planned it and I turned at the exact wrong time & never saw him! Apologies Champ!” Cena, never one to miss a chance for a laugh, shot back: “For those who question my powers of complete stealth, ask @JamieLittleTV #shecantseeme.”
Good sports all around
The exchange highlights something we don't see enough of in sports—two pros having a laugh at their own expense. Cena, who has long been a familiar face at NASCAR events, clearly took it in stride, and Little's quick-witted response shows she's more than capable of rolling with the punches. It's a reminder that NASCAR drivers are athletes who can handle a little heat, and so can the reporters covering them.
The clip's resurgence comes amid a broader conversation about the crossover between NASCAR and pop culture. From Dale Jr. on NASCAR at the Met Gala to the ongoing feud between Stephen A. Smith and NASCAR, the sport is increasingly finding itself in the spotlight of mainstream entertainment. Little and Cena's lighthearted moment is just another example of how NASCAR can laugh at itself while still taking the racing seriously.
Will we finally get that interview?
With the 2025 season heating up, fans are already speculating whether Little and Cena will finally sit down for a proper chat at the track. If the past is any indication, it would be worth the wait. Until then, we'll just have to settle for the perfect excuse: she didn't see him.
