After the Golden State Warriors won the NBA title in 2018, all of the players and coaches made a pact they would skip President Trump’s invitation to the White House and disgracefully visited former President Obama at his Washington, DC house instead.
Although some athletes in the major sports despise Trump and refuse to visit the White House under his administration, it’s undebatable that NASCAR drivers absolutely love him.
And Trump did this amazing thing to open Daytona 500.
Daytona International Speedway officials named Trump the grand marshal for NASCAR’s season opener, meaning he will deliver the most famous four words in auto racing. “Gentleman, start your engines,” which has been a staple for the sports’ races across the country since its inception.
Trump showed up to deliver those famous four words and the entire event was a spectacle to behold.
Prior to the event, Daytona’s track president Chip Wile, said, “Daytona International Speedway has been privileged to have hosted several sitting presidents of the United States over our history. We’re honored that the president of the United States has chosen to experience the pageantry and excitement of ‘The Great American Race.’”
In fact, Trump is surprisingly only the second U.S. president to attend the Daytona 500. But on Sunday, he did so in style.
Trump and the First Lady of the United States, Melania, took “The Beast” out for a lap around the racetrack for this year’s race.
“The Beast” is the nickname for the presidential limousine, which is 18-feet long, seven seats, 22,000 pounds of a Cadillac CT6 stretch sedan that comes fully loaded with the president’s blood type in a refrigerator in case something happens to him, and of course, has features to prevent any kind of terror attack or assassination attempt.
It can also spew out a smokescreen, fire tear gas and leave an oil slick to thwart a car chase. It’s 8-inch thick walls and 5-inch multi-layered windows rival that of the heaviness of a Boeing 757 jet.
It’s a remarkable piece of machinery.
And he took that marvelous car around the Daytona track before the start of the race.
WATCH:
In The Beast, @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS take a lap around the Daytona International Speedway before the start of the #DAYTONA500! pic.twitter.com/yemfsy0wN2
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 16, 2020
And here is Melania and Donald Trump arriving on Air Force One:
Air Force One, carrying President @realDonaldTrump, has arrived in Daytona, where he will serve as Grand Marshal for today’s race. pic.twitter.com/pC1At3YKeF
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2020
NASCAR fans cheered and the president thanked them.
Trump said to the crowd in a short speech before the race, “NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, country.”
He added, “Rubber will burn, fans will scream and the great American race will begin.”
And in an interview before the race started with Fox Sports he commented, “I think it’s really the bravery of these people … it takes great courage, it’s the speed, it’s really the technology, looking at what’s happened in the last ten years with the cars. I love to see it, I love to watch it.”
Trump also posed with many NASCAR drivers including Clint Bowyer, Aric Almirola, and Kurt Busch.
Bowyer said in a tweet, Not going to lie, I had no idea what to expect. The man walked in shook all our hands, took selfies, and whatever we asked of him. I judge people on how they treat me and others I’m with, and that’s why I really appreciated meeting POTUS.”
Not going to lie, I had no idea what to expect. The man walked in shook all our hands, took selfies, and whatever we asked of him. I judge people on how they treat me and others I’m with, and that’s why I really appreciated meeting @POTUS. thanks for coming to #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Ih0DVaTLAr
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) February 16, 2020
Busch added, “Plain and simple, [President Trump] is a man of the people.”
Not going to lie, I had no idea what to expect. The man walked in shook all our hands, took selfies, and whatever we asked of him. I judge people on how they treat me and others I’m with, and that’s why I really appreciated meeting @POTUS. thanks for coming to #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Ih0DVaTLAr
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) February 16, 2020
One thing is for sure, NASCAR absolutely adores President Trump.