Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will serve as the grand marshal for the 2024 Daytona 500. He will give the command for drivers in the NASCAR race to fire their engines on Sunday, February 18.
The announcement was made during the NFL’s NFC Championship game on FOX. The Daytona 500 race will also be broadcast on the same network. The race is set to take place on February 18, 2024 at the Daytona International Speedway in in Daytona Beach, Florida.
You can check out the announcements below:
?? @TheRock is this year’s Grand Marshal for the #DAYTONA500 on FOX! pic.twitter.com/qhKUpd3KLW
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) January 29, 2024
This is the 66th edition of the Daytona 500, and Johnson’s opening command will be for 40 race car drivers participating in the race.
This isn’t the first time a WWE star has been involved as a grand marshal for NASCAR. Johnson himself served in the role for a Cup Series race at the Texas Motor Speedway in 2004. Last October, Liv Morgan was the grand marshal for the fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and in 2021, Sasha Banks was the honorary starter for the Daytona 500. John Cena has also been involved several times with NASCAR races.
Some other celebrities who have appeared as grand marshal include Pitbull and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson over the years. Last year, NASCAR legends had taken on the role of grand marshal. This was done in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the sport.
As for the WWE ring, it appears that the anticipated showdown between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 is still expected to happen, but there is no precise confirmation regarding the same, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
The Rock is reportedly interested in a match for this year, but more details are expected to be revealed after the Royal Rumble.
Yeah, this is big. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/kZ0D7nZqxQ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 29, 2024
