President Donald Trump made an unforgettable appearance Sunday at the Daytona 500 in Florida when Air Force One flew 800 feet above the racetrack before landing. He became the second-ever president to deliver the Great American Race’s iconic command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” when he had the official honor of being the Grand Marshal of the Daytona 500.
After landing, the president and first lady entered the Daytona international in “The Beast” onto the speedway and took a few laps before and after giving the command as the Grand Marshal.
As President Donald Trump stepped out of The Beast before “God Bless America” was sung at the Daytona 500, the crowd erupted with chants of “four more years” and “USA!”
In an interview from the track, President Trump was asked by Fox Sports why he decided to come to the “Great American Race”, and he responded, “It really is a great American race and I look at this as almost as a patriotism kind of thing. It’s incredible. The people are incredible. We love the area, we love this state, and it’s very exciting. You know, I’ve been here four times before as a civilian and now I’m in a different capacity. We love NASCAR and we love the people of NASCAR.”
Asked what he enjoys about NASCAR personally, President Trump said, “I think it’s really the bravery of the people. I mean, these are very– they do all these safety things, but it takes great courage. It’s the speed, it’s really the technology. You look at what’s happened over the last 10 years with the cars. I love to see it, I love to watch it.”
He delivered remarks to the crowd, with First Lady Melania standing at his side before the race began: “The Daytona 500 is the legendary display of roaring engines, soaring spirits and the American skill, speed, and power that we’ve been hearing about for so many years. NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, and country,” the president expressed. (Continued Below)
When delivering the most famous words at the Daytona 500, President Trump declared to the drivers as the Grand Marshal, “Daytona internal speedway, we love our country and it’s truly an honor to be with all of you at the Great American Race. Gentleman, start your engines!” he proudly announced.
President Trump and First Lady Melania took a lap around the speedway in the heavily armored presidential limo after giving the command for racers to start their engines. The lap in the 22,000-pound, Cadillac-branded limousine marked a historic first for any president, reported Fox News.
The President also got on the radio from The Beast and said to the racers: “Drivers, this is President Trump and it was an honor to open the Daytona 500, have a phenomenal day, have a great race, be safe, God Bless you, we love you.” (Videos Below)
Check the videos:
Now this is how you make an entrance.@realDonaldTrump in Air Force 1 800 feet above the racetrack before he is set to be the Grand Marshal of the #DAYTONA500.pic.twitter.com/UIk8UOE1rj
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 16, 2020
The Beast! #Daytona500
?????? pic.twitter.com/JsYOZg73QA
— Elizabeth Harrington (@LizRNC) February 16, 2020
“GENTLEMAN, START YOUR ENGINES,” @realDonaldTrump marking the start of the #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/IvQSB2dFgU
— Students For Trump (@TrumpStudents) February 16, 2020
. @realDonaldTrump just got on the radio from the Beast and said:
"Drivers, this is President Trump and it was an honor to open the Daytona 500, have a phenomenal day, have a great race, be safe, God Bless you, we love you."
THIS IS EPIC #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Rp4Oc3pWn9
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) February 16, 2020
(Videos Below)
Land of the Free and Home of the Brave! – Trump takes Lap at #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/1BhIovawXV
— Alexandra Datig (@alexdatig) February 16, 2020
WATCH:
In The Beast, @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS take a lap around the Daytona International Speedway before the start of the #DAYTONA500! pic.twitter.com/yemfsy0wN2
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 16, 2020
.@realDonaldTrump won the #Daytona500 before the race even started. pic.twitter.com/uGXAOgEONu
— Brad Parscale – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@parscale) February 16, 2020
“NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, and country!” – @realDonaldTrump #DAYTONA500pic.twitter.com/pUl6n67K7f
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) February 16, 2020
(Videos Below)
We love you too Mr President !!#DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/DG95HnhNyr
— Godfrey Hodgeson (@GodfreyHodgeson) February 16, 2020
As @realDonaldTrump gets out of The Beast before "God Bless America" was sung at the #DAYTONA500, the crowd erupts with chants of "Four More Years" and "USA!" pic.twitter.com/4KkXQJPMxd
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 16, 2020
The crowd at the #Daytona500 breaks out in chants of
"U-S-A, U-S-A" as @realDonaldTrump begins his duties as Grand Marshal. pic.twitter.com/9Y4gtEj8sL— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 16, 2020
The Trump 2020 car at the #DAYTONA500
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 16, 2020
