President Donald Trump may open the Daytona 500 by taking a lap on the track in his presidential limo, nicknamed the “Beast.”
According to a report from Fox News White House correspondent John Roberts, the president “is planning to take a lap at the @DISupdates Daytona International Speedway in the “Beast” presidential limo ahead of the Daytona 500. It’s not 100%, but that is the plan at the moment.” (RELATED: President Trump To Attend Season-Opening Daytona 500)
SCOOP: Multiple Sources tell @FoxNews that @realDonaldTrump is planning to take a lap at the @DISupdates Daytona International Speedway in the “Beast” presidential limo ahead of the Daytona 500. It’s not 100%, but that is the plan at the moment.
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) February 15, 2020
Other sources quickly confirmed that a lap on the track was a part of Trump’s plan.
Reached out to multiple sources with knowledge of Trump’s plan at Daytona 500.
– Trump will act as grand marshal of the race.
– Trump will give the iconic, “gentlemen, start your engines” command.
– The President *will* take a track lap in “The Beast” ahead of the Daytona 500.
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) February 15, 2020
Daytona politician invited Donald Trump to #DAYTONA500 three weeks ago, after talking to @NASCAR about how long it had been since a president attended.
– Trump attended the race from 1998-2001.
– “This is going to be a big Trump rally with a race.”
– https://t.co/rDtrK7pqKL pic.twitter.com/BkRrmBVNU4
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) February 14, 2020
The president’s lap isn’t likely to break any speed records, however, since the 10-ton, heavily-armored, gas-guzzling “Beast” maxes out at well under 100 miles per hour.
Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs said that the plan is for a larger motorcade to take a half lap, also noting that an Air Force Thunderbirds flyover was scheduled.
Trump’s turning Florida stop at Daytona 500 into extensive free campaign publicity:
—AF1 flyover as he arrives at Daytona Beach airport, adjacent to speedway
—1/2 lap in multi-car motorcade
—pre-race ceremony with “Star-Spangled Banner” and flyover by Air Force Thunderbirds.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 15, 2020
The White House confirmed two days ago that the president would serve as Grand Marshal at the Daytona 500 and would issue the call to “start your engines.”
President @realDonaldTrump will attend the @NASCAR Daytona 500 on Sunday! ????️???? https://t.co/ZqQ6XfaCzG
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 14, 2020
Trump will be the second sitting president to attend the Daytona 500 — President George W. Bush attended the race in 2004.
Though NASCAR fans are a key Republican voting demographic, Donald Trump will become only the second sitting president to attend the Daytona 500 on Sunday. George W. Bush was there in 2004. https://t.co/7VWBEBZa0t
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) February 15, 2020
Trump will be the first president to serve as Grand Marshal.
If you want to know the real difference between Trump and the democrat candidates try to imagine Bernie Sanders being the Grand Marshall of the Daytona 500.
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) February 14, 2020