Hollywood actor Kurt Russell has landed the role of honorary pace car driver for the Daytona 500, which will kick off the NASCAR Cup Series.
Russell started his acting career as a child before starring in leading roles in various blockbuster films. His work has included roles in The Christmas Chronicles, The Hateful Eight, Bone Tomahawk, and the Fast and Furious franchise.
With a career lasting over five decades, Russell’s NASCAR appearance comes ahead of the release of the second season in the Monsterverse franchise.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be named the honorary pace car driver for this year’s Daytona 500,” Russell said in a press release. “I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in a race car.”
“The Daytona 500 has always been bigger than a race. It’s a global event that blends competition, spectacle, and culture,” Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway, said in a press release. “Kurt Russell’s impact in entertainment mirrors what makes The Great American Race special – moments that endure long after the checkered flag.”
Others who have served as honorary pace car drivers at the Daytona 500 include John Cena, Tom Cruise, Jay Leno, and Pete Davidson, among others.
The Daytona 500, dubbed The Great American Race, will take place on Sunday, February 15.
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