You truly will never forget where you were when you heard AdventHealth Chaplain Mack Vendome deliver the invocation of Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
As far as prayers go, this was electric. Vendome not only delivered a powerful prayer, but he made sure we remember to “shake and bake like Ricky Bobby.”
"Shake and bake like Ricky Bobby."
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 24, 2024
This pre-race prayer at Daytona was something else.pic.twitter.com/V75jFBZUoN
“Dear GOD, as we are gathered here this evening to celebrate these gentlemen. Shake and bake like Ricky Bobby,” Vendome said.
Vendome dropped the famous “Talladega Nights” line before weaving in Darrell Waltrip’s signature “boogity, boogity, boogity” into his prayer.
“On days where it’s hard to get out of bed, help us to remember those famous and faithful words: Boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go racing,” Vendome said.
It’ll certainly be hard to top Vendome’s prerace prayer, which served as a nice starter for Saturday’s ever exciting and unpredictable race. Daytona is one of two regular season races remaining and with four playoff spots still up for grabs, it’s gonna get wild.
Chris Buescher (+16), Ross Chastain (+1) and Bubba Wallace (-1) are a few of the drivers on the playoff cutline who could use a win. Another driver to watch is Michael McDowell, who is also winless on the season. McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 winner, started Saturday’s race on the pole and knows it’s a must-win situation.
“When it comes to tomorrow night, we’ll do what we always do. We’re going to race and help ourselves get to the front. And stay in the front and be in good position,” McDowell said Friday. “The best thing we can do for our team and ourselves is work together because we have fast cars.”
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