President Donald Trump Attends Daytona 500

By Tiffany Aaron

on Feb 16, 2025

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ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

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President Donald Trump and some of his family members attended Sunday’s Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway.

President Trump not only attended the NASCAR event but served as the grand marshal, becoming the third sitting president to do so. George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush also had the honor.

Trump did, however, become the first president to lead the pace car ahead of the race’s start. The President led the cars seated in his presidential limousine, nicknamed “The Beast,” in two laps around the iconic track.

During the laps, Trump spoke to the drivers over the radio, saying:

“This is your favorite president. I’m a big fan. I am a really big fan of you people,” Trump said. “How you do this I don’t know, but I just want you to be safe. You’re talented people and you’re great people and great Americans. Have a good day, have a lot of fun and I’ll see you later.”

The crowd cheered when Donald Trump was shown on the big screen.

Just prior to the race’s start, the President took his place in the stands and saluted as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was performed.

Cameras showed Trump standing at attention during the national anthem, leading to thunderous cheers and applause.

The only moment of the day that elicited more cheers was when Trump’s presidential airplane, Air Force One, flew over the track as it arrived for the race. The excitement was evident in the voices of the television announcers.

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“It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. They said that plane is 800 feet above the racetrack. What an entrance by the president of the United States,” one announcer said.

Donald Trump spent some time shaking hands with service members and NASCAR drivers. He then boarded Air Force One to return to Washington, D.C., where he said he was “getting back to work.”

See some behind-the-scenes footage of President Donald Trump’s Daytona 500 appearance in the videos below.

Donald Trump’s Daytona 500 appearance comes one week after he attended the Super Bowl.

Trump flew to New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday, February 9, to attend Super Bowl LIX. The appearance made him the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Big Game.

Ahead of the President’s attendance, Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, shared that a great deal of care and planning went into ensuring “the safety of all attendees, players, and staff.”

Similar measures were taken ahead of the Daytona 500. Photos and videos shared on social media showed lines of attendees going through enhanced security screenings before entering the racetrack.

One video showed a large crowd outside of the track chanting “let us in” as they grew impatient with security. But, crowd reaction inside when Donald Trump appeared indicate that the extra care and wait time was well worth it.

@longlivethechaz OVER A 2 HOUR WAIT AT SECURITY FOR THE #DAYTONA500 – FANS BOOING AND YELLING IN FRUSTRATION AS JETS FLY OVER FOR THE START!! #Trump ♬ original sound – The Chaz

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About the Author

Tiffany Aaron

Hello! My name is Tiffany. I’ve worked as a content marketing specialist with Country Rebel since 2014. I enjoy stories about music and the people who make it. I find joy in writing about topics that educate, entertain, and bring smiles to readers' faces.

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