President Donald Trump appeared at NASCAR’s Daytona 500 International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday to participate in the pre-race ceremonies.
The 47th President reprised the role he held in 2020 as the event’s grand marshal, where he led the 41-car field out of the pits.
“I think it’s great for the country. Our country’s doing well again and we have spirit all over the world. There’s spirit again. We brought it back and it’s been less than four weeks,” Trump told Fox News.
"Our country is doing well again, and we have spirit all over the world. We brought it back, and it's been less than four weeks." –President Donald J. Trump at #Daytona500 🇺🇸 @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/9WsDxjjvYT
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 16, 2025
Trump then paced field as “The Beast” made a lap around the Daytona track.
🚨 The Beast is on the track at the #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/gBKIfzvY5i
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 16, 2025
President @realDonaldTrump leads the field out of the pits in "The Beast" at the 2025 Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/m1GOWOVCEv
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
President Trump waves to the crowd pic.twitter.com/R6GAle53ov
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) February 16, 2025
EPIC!!! Happening Now at the @NASCAR 500…LET’S GO!!! pic.twitter.com/GXg83oHLUC
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 16, 2025
BEHIND THE SCENES with President Trump and Carolina in The Beast at #DAYTONA500 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/z4X8DIfePF
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 16, 2025
Trump also offered words of encouragement to the race car drivers as he was circling the track.
“This is your favorite president. I’m a big fan, I am a really big fan of you people. 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!” Trump said on the phone.
President Trump delivers a message to the drivers at the #DAYTONA500 from inside The Beast: pic.twitter.com/Q8EURz6f5H
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 16, 2025
CROWD GOES WILD when the camera shows President Trump saluting during the National Anthem at the Daytona 500 🫡🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/t5OO4AcodN
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 16, 2025
🚨🔥President Donald Trump is greeted with massive applause at the Daytona 500 as he walks the track and greets the drivers. pic.twitter.com/CuOp7zobK3
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 16, 2025
President Trump at the #DAYTONA500 … pic.twitter.com/X5ZJUBDxFQ
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 16, 2025
Trump had also ordered Air Force One to fly over the Daytona 500 stadium before landing.
Moments ago, President Trump did a flyover on Air Force One at the Daytona 500. The view from above! #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/DCX7d5iH9H
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 16, 2025
The Daytona 500 marks the latest sporting event Trump has attended in his first month since returning to office, as he last week attended Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
This wins the internet for today🤣🏆
— Jack (@jackunheard) February 16, 2025
pic.twitter.com/3gIYiVtfCa