Trump attended the race in February 2020 and issued the command for drivers to start their engines.
In another appearance showcasing his lifelong love of professional sports, President Donald Trump attended the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16 for the second time as commander-in-chief.
In a presidential message released as he flew to Daytona Beach, Florida, Trump said the Daytona 500 brings together people from all walks of life in a “shared passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the race.”
“From the roar of the engines on the track to the echo of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ soaring through the stands, the Daytona 500 is a timeless tribute to the speed, strength, and unyielding spirit that make America great,” Trump said. “That spirit is what will fuel America’s Golden Age, and if we harness it, the future is truly ours.”
Trump began his appearance at the event with his granddaughter Carolina and greeting race car drivers on the track. Trump was greeted with cheers as his motorcade drove slowly around the track followed by a procession of race cars.
President Donald Trump stands on the grid before the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.,