President Donald Trump took Daytona by Storm. A crowd of around 100,000 NASCAR racing fans cheered as President Donald Trump kicked off the festivities at this year’s Daytona 500, with a spin around the track in “The Beast,” his private limo.
Daytona 500 welcomes Trump with open arms
President Trump was honored to serve as the grand marshal for Sunday’s renowned race. The annual celebration of nationalism and general American Greatness is sponsored by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The president’s entire motorcade cruised part of Florida’s Daytona International Speedway before pulling into the pit for photos with supporters. At least a dozen race drivers got a private meet and greet with Trump. “I got to meet the president! How cool is that?” Aric Almirola beamed.
Then, Trump was chauffeured around a full lap of the track before being dropped off at the finish line. “It’s truly an honor to be with you.” The President proudly proclaimed how much Melania and him “love our country” as fans chanted “four more years.” Trump was obviously thrilled to deliver the traditional “Gentlemen, start your engines.” The race got off to a late start due to rain that started only moments after the President’s ceremonial lap.
A spectacular entrance
Before arriving at the racetrack, Air Force One made a spectacular flyover. Because Daytona International Airport is only a few hundred yards away, the plane was thrillingly close. There was also a plane trailing a Trump campaign banner. A spot ad is planned during the event broadcast. “Trump 2020 flags flooded the infield, and some fans wore them as capes in the garage area,” WRAL Sports Fan writes.
Florida is a swing state that could go either way and President Trump is taking the opportunity to get some face time with the voters as he ramps up his re-election campaign. President Trump is already well known in the state for his golf courses and resorts. His Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, is known as the “Winter White House.”
“NASCAR fans are patriots who support the president in huge numbers, so we definitely wanted to communicate directly with them about Keeping America Great during the Great American Race,” campaign manager Brad Parscale relates. Republicans love racing. Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have previously attended.