Donald Trump is set to attend the Daytona 500 on Sunday, marking his second visit to the prestigious race as president. His previous appearance was in 2020 when he was campaigning for re-election. At that event, Trump served as the grand marshal, where he had the honor of giving the command for drivers to start their engines.
During that visit, he also delighted NASCAR fans with an Air Force One flyover, before making a grand entrance in the presidential limousine onto the Daytona International Speedway.
In addition to attending the Daytona 500, Trump recently made history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl. He is also known for attending college football games, UFC events, and for his passion for golf.
In a 2020 interview with Fox News, Trump shared his admiration for NASCAR, highlighting the bravery and courage of the drivers as they seek “pure American glory.”
Donald Trump referred to the Daytona 500 as 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.” He emphasized that while fans attend for the fast cars and world-class motorsports, NASCAR supporters always remember that, regardless of the race outcome, the most important values are “God, family, and country.”
NASCAR fans are generally seen as leaning conservative. In 2018, Trump welcomed NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and his team, Furniture Row Racing, to the White House.
Last May, as both a former president and reelection candidate, Trump attended the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in North Carolina, a key swing state.
Chase Elliott, a NASCAR driver, shared that having a president at one of the sport’s biggest events is a special moment. He added that it certainly attracts more attention and offers a unique perspective on the race.