President Donald Trump’s fourth week back in the White House is being capped off with a visit to the Daytona International Speedway, where NASCAR‘s annual Daytona 500 race is being held on Sunday.
Ahead of racers starting their engines on Sunday afternoon, Trump flew to Daytona Beach, Florida, to attend the race, with his motorcade arriving shortly after he landed. The president then took a lap around the racetrack in “The Beast,” the name given to the iconic vehicle of the U.S. president.
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President @realDonaldTrump takes a lap around Daytona International Speedway. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/8gHD10qzGw
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
While taking the lap, Trump addressed the drivers: “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.”
President @realDonaldTrump addresses the drivers before the 2025 Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/DP9hXWjDpm
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
Trump was joined by his granddaughter at the race, stating in an interview that the United States is “doing well again,” and that his administration‘s work will “only get better.” The president was also joined by his son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Lara Trump, at the race.
President @realDonaldTrump talks with @JamieLittleTV before the Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/BBfRyONavC
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
Daytona was ? pic.twitter.com/0hjypEekOH
— Lara Trump (@LaraLeaTrump) February 16, 2025
The lap around the track was prefaced by a flyover by Air Force One, the president’s plane.
President @realDonaldTrump arrives at Daytona on Air Force One. pic.twitter.com/FB6xsxaVHj
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
The president was also spotted chatting with racing icons Richard Petty and Greg Biffle, the latter of whom grabbed a selfie photograph with the commander-in-chief.
Trump previously attended the Daytona 500 race in February 2020, taking a similar lap in The Beast and also giving the command to racers to start their engines. In visiting the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Trump became the first president to attend two Daytona 500 races while presiding in the Oval Office.
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While the president did not give the command for racers to get their engines rolling this time, the command was given by Captain America: Brave New World actor Anthony Mackie. The actor recently called himself a “proud American” after claiming he personally does not believe “the term ‘America'” should represent the character Captain America.
Captain America @AnthonyMackie gets the engines fired for the 2025 #DAYTONA500 on FOX! pic.twitter.com/wSdayk080O
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
The iconic NASCAR race is the second major sporting event that Trump has attended in about a week, as he became the first sitting president to attend the annual Super Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana.
