The Cup Series season begins on February 18th the Daytona 500 And following a longstanding tradition, NASCAR is calling on some big names to put on the biggest race of the season.
Since the 1967 season, NASCAR has primarily used special guests to host the Daytona 500. Some of these dignitaries were politicians, others were executives from various industries. Over the years, NASCAR has increasingly turned to stars from other sports, Hollywood and the music industry.
As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson takes on the role of Grand Marshal at the Daytona 500 this season, it's time to look back at the biggest names who have served as dignitaries in previous editions of the crown jewel race.
2024: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the only dignitary announced so far. He will be the Grand Marshal.
2023: Actress Tiffany Haddish was the honorary starter while singer-songwriter Breland performed the national anthem. Actor and comedian Pete Davidson took part in the race.
65th Annual NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500
2022: NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson is the grand marshal. Country singer Trace Adkins performed the national anthem.
CAR: FEBRUARY 20 NASCAR Cup Series – DAYTONA 500
2021: Performer and Trackhouse Racing co-owner Pitbull was the Grand Marshal. Professional wrestler Sasha Banks was the honorary starter.
2020: President Donald Trump was the Grand Marshal. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the honorary starter. Professional wrestler Sheamus was the volunteer pace car driver.
62nd Annual NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500
2019: Houston Texans defenseman JJ Watt was the grand marshal. New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was the honorary starter.
2018: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the grand marshal. Charlize Theron was the honorary starter.
2017: Owen Wilson was the Grand Marshal. NFL Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson was the honorary starter. Jordin Sparks performed the national anthem. Keanu Reeves and former NFL coaches Rex and Rob Ryan were all in attendance. NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrated with Kurt Busch on the winning streak after Busch won the Daytona 500.
59th Annual DAYTONA 500
2016: Actor Gerard Butler was the Grand Marshal. MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was the honorary starter.
2015: Vince Vaughn was the Grand Marshal. Abby Wambach, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, was the honorary starter. Phillip Phillips performed the national anthem.
2014: Chris Evans was the Grand Marshal. Gary Sinise was the honorary starter. Aloe Blacc performed the national anthem.
56th Daytona 500
2013: James Franco was the Grand Marshal. Retired Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was the honorary starter. Clay Cook played the national anthem.
2012: Kate Upton and Jane Lynch were the Grand Marshals. John Cena (Sunday) and the Wood Brothers family (Monday) were the volunteer starters. Train singer Patrick Monahan performed the national anthem.
Daytona 500 Speed Week – Day 9
2011: Actors Josh Duhamel and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and director Michael Bay were the grand marshals and honorary starters. Martina McBride sang the national anthem.
Celebrities attend the Daytona 500
2010: NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson was the grand marshal. Glen and Leonard Wood were the honorary starters. Harry Connick Jr. performed the national anthem.
2009: NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison was the honorary starter. Gavin DeGraw performed the national anthem. DeGraw previously sang the national anthem at an Xfinity race at Daytona in 2006.
Celebrities at the NASCAR Busch Series in Daytona
2008: Twenty-four living Daytona 500 champions were grand marshals. Hall of Famer Richard Petty was the honorary starter. Trisha Yearwood sang the national anthem.
2007: Nicholas Cage was the Grand Marshal in the promotion of Ghost Rider. Country duo Big & Rich performed the national anthem.
2006: James Caan was the Grand Marshal. Olympic snowboarders Hannah Teter and Gretchen Bleiler were the honorary starters. Fergie played the national anthem.
2005: Matthew McConaughey was the grand marshal in the promotion of “Sahara.” Ashton Kutcher was the honorary starter. Vanessa L. Williams sang the national anthem.
Daytona 500
2004: President George W. Bush was Grand Marshal. Whoopi Goldberg was the honorary starter. LeAnn Rimes performed the national anthem.
2003: John Travolta was Grand Marshal. Mariah Carey sang the national anthem and was the honorary starter.
Celebrities at the NASCAR Winston Cup Daytona 500
2002: Angie Harmon was the honorary starter. Opera singer Denyce Graves performed the national anthem.
2001: NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw was the honorary starter. The boy band O-Town played the national anthem.
2000: Olympic track and field champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee was honorary starter. Trumpeter Jesse McGuire played the national anthem.
1999: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is Grand Marshal. Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre was the honorary starter. Edwin McCain sang the national anthem.
1998: Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, who co-owned Elliott-Marino Racing in 1998, was the honorary starter. Kathy Mattea sang the national anthem.
1996: Engelbert Humperdinck plays the national anthem.
1995: Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly was the honorary starter. Diamond Rio performed the national anthem.
1994: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was the honorary starter. Canadian country musician Michelle Wright performed the national anthem. Aikman made several appearances in NASCAR races during and after his NFL career.
Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Tony Raines chat in front of the
1990: The Osmonds perform the national anthem.
1987: Professional golfer Jon Mills was the honorary starter. Country singer TG Sheppard performed the national anthem.
1972: Actor and racing driver James Garner, who owned the American International Racing team from 1967 to 1969, was the grand marshal.
Comments are closed.