Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson staying for postponed Daytona 500 engine command

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Nick Geddes | Last updated 2/18/24

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is staying for Monday’s Daytona 500 to deliver the four most famous words in motorsports, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported Sunday.

Johnson, the famed actor and WWE star, was chosen to be the Grand Marshal for the 66th running of the Daytona 500, originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday. With the rain showing no sign of letting up, NASCAR made the decision to postpone the race till Monday at 4 p.m.

Many wondered if Johnson would remain in Daytona through the race postponement, especially given the busy nature of his schedule. He will, though some other scheduled acts will not. Pitbull’s pre-race concert will no longer take place. He has, however, committed to doing the concert ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500. DJ Khaled, scheduled to wave the green flag, will also not be in Daytona Beach on Monday.

Johnson, 51, arrived in Daytona Beach Saturday night and expressed his excitement to be part of the event in an Instagram post.

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A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)

“Gettin’ into some midnight tequila trouble in Daytona Beach baby!! (actually, heading to the gym because I can’t sleep;) I’m pumped to pull Grand Marshall duties for tomorrow’s iconic DAYTONA 500 – a super cool honor for me and I can’t wait,” Johnson wrote. “Hoping our weather clears up for a safe track and awesome race for the boys. Completely SOLD OUT – 100,000+ STRONG! LFG!!!”

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson makes WWE return, turns heel

“The People’s Champion” was all smiles, something WWE fans haven’t seen on TV since he made his return to the professional wrestling industry earlier this month. The Rock recently aligned himself with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, a dominant faction made up of members of the Anoaʻi family, a famous Samoan wrestling family.

He turned heel during the WrestleMania XL Press Conference in Las Vegas last Thursday, slapping Cody Rhodes across the face. Rhodes, the son of the late “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, will face Reigns for his title in the main event of WrestleMania XL at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6-7.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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