President Trump took laps on the Daytona 500 speedway in his motorcade nicknamed “The Beast.”
Trump addressed the drivers before the race, driving inside the racetrack’s interior.
“This is your favorite president,” Trump said. “I’m a big fan. I’m a really big fan of you people. How you do this, I don’t know. But I just want you to be safe.”
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“You’re talented people and you’re great people, and great Americans,” he continued. “Have a good day, and have a lot of fun, and I’ll see you later.”
Trump traveled to his Palm Beach, Fla. Mar-a-Lago resort for the weekend and then went about 200 miles north to the Daytona International Speedway for the race on Sunday, just a week after attending the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
It was his first visit to the racetrack since 2020 and Air Force One flew overhead.
In 2020, Trump falsely accused Bubba Wallace of a “hoax” involving a noose found in his garage stall. The president lashed out at Wallace and NASCAR, citing the decision to ban Confederate flags from facilities. Trump said Wallace, the only Black full-time driver, should apologize over the incident.
Trump shared a video online of him saluting during the National Anthem ahead of the race.
“It’s fantastic. It’s great for the country. Our country is doing well again, and we have spirit all over the world,” Trump told Fox Sports from the track. “We brought it back, and it’s been less than four weeks.”
