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The Grand Marshal commands NASCAR drivers to start their engines before each race. Notably, a famous personality, public figure, or a member of the NASCAR community is given the role of kick-starting the high-octane stock-car racing event.
NASCAR started this customary tradition to charge up the crowd and add a dramatic effect to every race. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, professional wrestler, actor, and entrepreneur, gave the iconic command at the inaugural race of the 2024 season, the Daytona 500.
Over the years, several prominent figures have been honored to say/scream "Drivers, Start your engines!" at the beginning of the race. Moreover, many of them have given distinctive yet iconic commands. Let's take a look at the top five vivid commands in NASCAR races:
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#5 Jenson Ackles
American actor Jenson Ackles was honored to let NASCAR drivers know to start their engines for the 2019 Hollywood Casino 400 race at Kansas Speedway. Famous for his role as Dean Winchester in Supernatural, a dark fantasy drama series, Ackles gave a strong and fiery command for the drivers to start their V8s.
#4 Kevin James, Adam Sandler, and Shaquille O'Neal
Famed American comedian Kevin James and Hollywood actor Adam Sandler are no strangers to NASCAR events and commanding drivers to start their engines. The two were joined by former NBA player turned actor Shaquille O'Neal to promote their movie, Grown Ups 2. Moreover, the trio gave striking command by singing the phrase "Lady and Gentleman, Start your engine!" for the 2013 Coke Zero Sugar 400 race at Daytona International Speedway.
#3 Matthew McConaughey
Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey started the 2005 Daytona 500 race by telling the drivers to start their engines in his iconic catchphrase "Alright, alright, alright" from his breakthrough movie, Dazed and Confused. Moreover, the Hollywood star also brought back his iconic style to command drivers at the start of the 2021 Circuit of the Americas race.
#2 Kevin James
Kevin James once gave the most memorable commands in NASCAR as a grand marshal. American sitcom The King of Queens star screamed passionately to instruct the drivers to start their engines, which is still remembered by many. The comic actor James uttered motorsports' most famous words at the 2007 Daytona race.
#1 Ronal Reagan
During the 1984 Firecracker 400 race at Daytona International Speedway, Ronald Reagan, via phone, commanded the NASCAR drivers to start their engines aboard the mighty Air Force One. Soon after, the former President of the United States landed at the Daytona Beach airstrip just behind the oval track.
It is worth mentioning that seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty won his 200th and final Cup Series race of his prolific career at the same race.
