Dale Earnhardt Jr. named Grand Marshal for 2018 Daytona 500

Earnhardt Jr. made his 631st and final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier this month.

He started 18 Daytona 500s in his career, winning twice in 2004 and 2014. 

“Talk about a perfect fit – on the historic 60th running of the Daytona 500, we will have a man responsible for so much of our history serving as the Grand Marshal,” said Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile. “He has meant so much to our facility, to NASCAR and all race fans through the years. It’s an honor to have him back in this capacity for the 2018 Daytona 500.”

Junior has a total of 17 victories at the famed speedway, a feat matched by Bobby Allison and only surpassed by Tony Stewart and his late great father Dale Earnhardt Sr.

“I was humbled when asked to be the Grand Marshal of next season’s Daytona 500,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The race has so much history and being a two-time winner of the event is something I am extremely proud of. The list of names who have Grand Marshaled the race is one I’m honored to add my name to. Speedweeks is an exciting time for our sport, and this assures me an opportunity to witness the thrills of it all.”