Celebrities at Daytona 500: Marshawn Lynch, Jon Gruden, Puka Nacua among stars at NASCAR race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Daytona 500 is one of the biggest racing days of the year.
Advertisement
It generally signifies the start of the Cup Series schedule that runs from February to November. NASCAR has some big events on its race calendar, but it could easily be argued that the Daytona 500 is the biggest.
NASCAR tends to pull out all the stops to make the race feel like the spectacle that it has developed into, and that includes involving celebrities and athletes who are either involved in the pre-race festivities or who are in attendance for the high-octane racing action.
Here is more on the celebrities and athletes at the 2026 Daytona 500.
LIVE: Daytona 500 tracker with race updates and highlights
Advertisement
Celebrities at Daytona 500
Marshawn Lynch was a dominant NFL running back. He went viral for his press conference answers toward the end of his career, but now, fans are excited to see what side quests the former RB is up to. Lynch was spotted driving a cooler go-kart at the Daytona 500 and was tossing out beers to fans walking by.
Comedian Nate Bargatze is known for his hilarious stand-up specials and viral “Saturday Night Live” skits. On Sunday, he served as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500 and uttered the three biggest words in the sport.
MORE: More to know about Nate Bargatze’s role at Daytona 500
Advertisement
While he is used to tearing up the gridiron on Sundays in the NFL, wide receiver Puka Nacua got to do a ride-along and was in one of the pace cars.
Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden was also in attendance for the race, getting a picture with Lynch before the race got underway.
Lynch isn’t the only former running back as Tampa Bay Buccaneers great Mike Alstott is also at the Daytona 500.
Actor Kurt Russell also drove a pace car ahead of the race.
Miranda Lambert played a pre-race concert.
MORE: How much does the Daytona 500 winner win in 2026?
NBA legend Michael Jordan is at the Daytona 500.
Comedian Bert Kreischer is in attendance at the race.
Read the full article here
