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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tom Cruise sat three seats away and actor Gene Hackman was nearby, but Lexington native Jack Hege was more thrilled to meet former NASCAR driver Bobby Allison before Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Hege, likely the only person to attend all 51 Daytona 500s, made it again with the help of some Greensboro residents and received VIP treatment from NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR President Mike Helton introduced the 82-year-old Hege, along with other dignitaries, during the pre-race drivers meeting.

That experience helped make this trip as memorable as any for Hege, who was unsure last month if his record streak would continue. Hege could not find anyone to purchase his remaining tickets and take him to Daytona.

Greensboro resident Ron Collier saw a News & Record article on Hege’s plight and was among dozens who expressed interest in buying Hege’s tickets and transporting him to Daytona. Hege picked Collier, who also brought his son, Sam. Joining them was Greensboro resident Mike Brown and his son, Jordan.

The drivers meeting proved as special as the race for the group. Hege was shocked to see his name on a seat reserved for special guests.

“I couldn’t lose myself,’’ he said, laughing.

Hege said he had been a fan of Allison, a three-time Daytona 500 champion, and got to shake his hand.

“I’d been wanting to get that close to him but had never gotten that close,’’ Hege said.

Collier, attending his first Daytona 500, had a similar thrill. He got to shake hands with his favorite driver, Mark Martin, and take a picture of him. “I told these younger guys,’’ Collier said of his son and Jordan, “that this is the experience of a lifetime.’’

For Hege, as special as the trip was, being back at Daytona again was just like “home for me.’’

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com