Trump attended the race in February 2020 and issued the command for drivers to start their engines.
In another appearance that burnishes his lifelong love of professional sports, President Donald Trump will attend the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16 for the second time as commander-in-chief.
Trump first attended the race in February 2020 during his reelection campaign and was named grand marshal of NASCAR’s largest and most prestigious event of the year. He issued the famous command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” and rode onto the Daytona International Speedway in the presidential limousine after flying overhead in Air Force Once.
During the 2016 election, NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Brian France endorsed Trump.
Trump made history last weekend by becoming the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl. The avid golfer has also attended numerous college football games and UFC fights, adding to his decades-long interest in sports.
During a 2020 interview with FOX News, Trump described the bravery and courage of drivers pursuing “pure American glory” as what he enjoys most about NASCAR.
He said the Daytona 500 is a “legendary display of roaring engines, soaring spirits, and the American skill, speed, and power that we’ve been hearing about for so many years.”
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“The tens of thousands of patriots here today have come for the fast cars and the world-class motorsports. But NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, and country,” Trump said at the time.
Trump also honored NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and stock car racing team Furniture Row Racing at the White House in 2018.
In May 2024, Trump attended the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, a critical swing state in last year’s election.
Having a president present at the Daytona 500 on Sunday for “one of our biggest days of the year is special,” said NASCAR driver Chase Elliot.
“It certainly brings a lot of eyes and a different perspective to what we do down here for this race,” he added.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting president to attend a NASCAR race when he started the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway with the “Gentlemen, start your engines!” command from aboard Air Force One.
Later, the plane landed in full view of fans at Daytona International Airport behind the speedway. Driver Richard Petty secured his historic 200th victory at that race.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original News Source Link – Epoch Times
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