“Daytona International Speedway, we love our country, and it’s truly an honor to be with all of you at the Great American Race.” Donald Trump certainly knows how to make a spectacle. A lap around the Daytona track in the iconic beast while the Air Force One roared a dramatic low flyover above the packed grandstands of Daytona International Speedway. Who can forget his appearance at the 2020 Daytona 500? 

Well, after being elected for the second time, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump could grace fans with another presence at the 2025 Daytona 500.

Fans might be up for some deja vu moments from 2020

Mr. President has attended the Daytona 500 before, and it was just five years ago, in 2020! Given that it has been only a month since he took up the oath for the second time, the excitement has reached an all-time high. In fact, before him, America had seen George H.W. Bush do the same in 2004, making a star appearance for the Greatest American Race.

Once on the ground, Trump and First Lady Melania made their way to the starting grid. He shook hands and met with drivers before taking the center stage to deliver the iconic command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” Riding in the Presidential limousine, Trump led the field on a pre-race parade lap. He rolled down the track alongside the pace car in a scene straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster. It was a campaign event unlike any other, blending politics with pure NASCAR pageantry. Apart from his time spent in office, Trump has also made appearances at the track before. 

In 2001, Donald Trump was in attendance at Daytona, spending time in the pit lane when tragedy struck. That day, NASCAR lost a legend—Dale Earnhardt—after a horrific crash on the final lap. Fast forward to 2020, and history seemed to echo itself. Ryan Newman suffered a terrifying, near-fatal wreck, flipping violently at the finish line.

The only difference? A rain delay had pushed the race’s conclusion to Monday, meaning the crash did not happen on the day of Trump’s visit. Whether these eerie connections are mere coincidence or something more, one thing is certain, his appearance at the Daytona 500 always generates maximum coverage and viewership across networks. 

The 200-lap event is set to kickstart at 2:30 PM EST this year, and it is anticipated that The President will kickstart the race like he did in 2020. However, as of now, the exact timing of his entry has not been revealed. Any official news that hints at First Lady Melania Trump’s entry is also not known at the moment. While during his 2020 visit, rain has shrouded the race tracks, this time the weather looks pretty clear, with less chance of rain. 

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Exciting celebrities coming the Daytona 500 tracks

The Daytona 500 seems to be the clash of the icons as the official panel announces the Grand Marshall for the 2025 season. Do we have any guesses? Well, it is none other than Actor Anthony Mackie! Well, who better than Captain America himself to call the shots at the Greatest American Race of all time? Speedway President Frank Kelleher in an announcement said, “Anthony’s energy and presence will add to the excitement, especially with Captain America: Brave New World set to release the same weekend. Having him deliver the most famous words in motorsports before the green flag waves will make for a truly unforgettable moment.” 

Before Anthony, a group of nine former winners served as grand marshals in 2023. The list included Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano, who competed in that year’s race. They were joined by Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch. In 2022, Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson delivered the starting command, while rapper Pitbull did the honors in 2021. Even this year, crowd favorite, Pitbull will be appearing for a pre-race event. 

To add to the excitement, Alan Ritchson has been announced as the celebrity pace car driver. Popularly known as Aquaman. He will take the wheel of the 2025 Blazer EV SS by Chevrolet, bringing star power to the prestigious event. Speaking of the honor that has been presented to him, Ritchson said, “It’s an honor to be named the honorary pace car driver for the DAYTONA 500. I hope the drivers are feeling extra competitive this year because there’s no way I’m ditching after the first lap. My dream has always been to win the DAYTONA 500.”

He will be joining a distinguished lineup of celebrities who had the honor of leading NASCAR’s top series. This includes WWE wrestler Sheamus, NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, and Jamboree USA Hall of Famer and country music star Brad Paisley. From Hollywood stars to music icons and sports legends, the event promises an unforgettable experience for fans. With such an electrifying lineup, it’s no surprise that the Daytona 500 has already sold out all its tickets.