President Donald J. Trump will attend Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Daytona International Speedway president Chip Wile made the announcement Thursday morning. Trump and his wife are expected to fly into Daytona International Airport, which adjoins the Speedway, on Air Force One.
Wile issued this statement:
“The Daytona 500 is one of the greatest events in sports and the prestigious season-opening event to the NASCAR Cup Series. Daytona International Speedway has been privileged to have hosted several sitting Presidents of the United States over our history.
“We’re honored that the President of the United States has chosen to experience the pageantry and excitement of ‘The Great American Race’ by attending Sunday’s 62nd annual DAYTONA 500.”
Trump will become the second sitting U.S. President to attend the Daytona 500. President George W. Bush attended the 2004 running of the 500.
Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush attended the 1983 Daytona 500. Bush previously attended the 1978 Daytona 500 during his tenure as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Bush also attended the 1992 Pepsi 400 as President.
President Ronald Reagan also visited DIS for a race, but that was in the summer of 1984 for the Firecracker 400.
The U.S. Secret Service tweeted that there will be a 30-mile “no drone” zone established before, during and after the President’s visit.