“Drivers, start your engines”. A statement that sends chills down the spine of any NASCAR fan. A tradition since the 1960s, the Grand Marshall’s command has now become an opportunity for NASCAR to expand its popularity by inviting famous guests to give the command. Last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman gave the command! At the Daytona 500, the current ‘Captain America’ a.k.a Anthony Mackie was at the forefront. However, for Homestead-Miami Speedway, the track has chosen to give flowers to their local NFL team’s hero!

Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb, known for his explosive motor on the football field, will serve as grand marshal for the Straight Talk Wireless 400, continuing a rich tradition of crossover moments between the NFL and NASCAR that dates back decades. From Hall of Famers like Charles Woodson and LaDainian Tomlinson to superstars like Rob Gronkowski and JJ Watt, the relationship between America’s most popular sports league and its premier racing series has created memorable moments for fans across both sports.

Bradley Chubb chuffed to be Grand Marshall

Chubb’s appearance at the South Florida track comes during his rehabilitation journey, as the two-time Pro Bowler sat out the entire 2024 NFL season recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2023. His role as grand marshal offers Miami sports fans a chance to see the defensive standout in a different environment while NASCAR gains additional visibility in a crucial market.

“It’s an honor to have an athlete extremely dedicated to their craft like Bradley Chubb help us kick off the Straight Talk Wireless 400 as our grand marshal,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Guillermo Santa Cruz in Monday’s announcement. “Bradley’s tenacity and passion on the field embody the spirit of competition that we’ve continued to produce here at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”

The fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft brings impressive credentials to his ceremonial role. The NC State product accumulated 39.5 career sacks across seven professional seasons split between Denver and Miami. After being traded to the Dolphins in 2022, Bradley Chubb signed a five-year, $110 million extension with $63.2 million guaranteed, cementing his position as a cornerstone of Miami’s defense. His 2023 season showcased his disruptive abilities with 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles over the New York Jets before the injury in Week 17 ended his season.

Chubb himself expressed enthusiasm about his upcoming NASCAR appearance: “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to kick off the Straight Talk Wireless 400 in South Florida,” he said in a statement. “Getting a behind-the-scenes look at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to feel the energy on Sunday.”

The Dolphins organization is no stranger to motorsports connections. Team owner Steve Ross has a minority stake in the annual Formula One Miami Grand Prix hosted at Hard Rock Stadium. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa waved the checkered flag at the 2023 F1 race, while Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino presented the trophy to winner Max Verstappen at the inaugural race in 2022.

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NFL and NASCAR’s advertising edge

The tradition of NFL players serving as NASCAR dignitaries represents more than mere celebrity appearances – it symbolizes the shared American sporting culture that values speed, strategy, and spectacular moments. Charles Woodson, NFL Hall of Famer, served as Grand Marshal for the 2022 Daytona 500, while defensive powerhouse JJ Watt took on the role in 2019. That same year, Patriots receiver Julian Edelman acted as an honorary starter.

The NFL-NASCAR connection is rooted in advertising gold. A landmark Knowledge Networks study revealed these two sports generate the highest brand resonance scores among major sports properties, with NASCAR (51) slightly edging the NFL (50), while other major sports like the NBA and MLB trailed at 45. This marketing muscle explains why figures like Chubb are so valuable to NASCAR events, creating a win-win scenario for both sports.

Despite the NFL’s significantly larger fan base (47% of Americans consider themselves NFL fans versus 23% for NASCAR), NASCAR fans demonstrated stronger advertising engagement. The study found that 46% of NASCAR viewers consider race telecast ads important sources of product information compared to 41% of NFL viewers. Similarly, 45% of NASCAR fans found advertisers relevant to their interests versus 40% of NFL fans – both leagues substantially outperforming other major sports properties in advertising effectiveness.

David Tice, vice president of Knowledge Networks, attributed these results to both sports’ success in creating true “water cooler” moments that spark national conversation. “In Major League Baseball, the affinity is a lot more for the individual teams than the league. NASCAR and the NFL have managed their leagues as a brand,” Tice explained. This shared brand strength makes appearances like Chubb’s grand marshal role particularly valuable, leveraging the cross-promotional power of America’s two most commercially effective sports properties to maximize fan engagement and sponsor visibility.