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Dwayne Johnson, also known as 'The Rock', will kick off proceedings before the Daytona 500 after being chosen as grand marshal for the high-profile NASCAR race.
During the NFC Championship game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, FOX Sports named the grand marshal for the season-opening event.
Taking to X, Bob Pockrass shared the news with his followers: "Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will give the command to start engines for the Daytona 500."
The American broadcaster will air the 66th edition of the famous race, which takes place on February 18. Johnson will be tasked with giving command to the 40 participating drivers to start their engines.
Another big reason behind their collaboration is that The Rock will promote his new sports league, the United Football League (UFL), during the race.
The actor and former WWE wrestler has been given the honor to get the cars off the mark for NASCAR's crown jewel event, which is considered to be as prestigious as the U.S Grand Prix and Indy500 for American motorsport fans.
He has experience in this field too, having once served as the grand marshal for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2004.
What is the Daytona 500?
The Daytona 500 officially kicks off the 2024 NASCAR Cup season with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. returning as the defending winner. But first, 36 drivers and teams will head to Los Angeles for the third edition of the L.A. Clash exhibition race at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
Choosing a grand marshal is one of the biggest pre-race honors handed out by the race organizers. In 2023, the command to start engines for the Daytona 500 was given by a legends of the sport in celebration of NASCAR's 75th year, with Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett and Kurt Busch all named.
Johnson is not the only celebrity making an appearance at the Florida-based event this year, with Grammy-award winner and Trackhouse Racing co-owner Pit Bull already on board to deliver a pre-race performance for the fans.
Fans delighted with the news
News of Johnson being part of Daytona 500 was met with praise by fans.
"With Pitbull as Entertainer and The Rock giving the command will be an interesting prerace!," wrote one fan.
"He better 'Rock' it!," added another.