Trump Attends NASCAR’s Daytona 500 for 2nd Time as President

Trump attended the race in February 2020 and issued the command for drivers to start their engines.

President Donald Trump greets RCR team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 16, 2025. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

In another appearance showcasing his lifelong love of professional sports, President Donald Trump attended the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16 for the second time as commander-in-chief.

In a presidential message released as he flew to Daytona Beach, Florida, Trump said the Daytona 500 brings together people from all walks of life in a “shared passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the race.”