Marshawn Lynch. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch highlighted stars at 2026 Daytona 500

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 5:23 PM ET

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch made sure fans stayed cool at "The Great American Race."

Lynch was spotted tossing beers to fans while driving a cart before the start of the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

"You get a beer, and you get a beer, and you get a beer," the five-time Pro Bowler said while chucking cans of Busch to thirsty spectators.

Lynch, of course, wasn't the only celebrity in attendance for NASCAR's Super Bowl.

The beers are on BEASTMODE. pic.twitter.com/eeEGMuFeeZ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 15, 2026

Marshawn Lynch highlighted celebrity cameos at the Daytona 500

Several big names were in the house for Sunday's race, including Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and actor Kurt Russell.

Russell, who plays Mr. Nobody in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, drove the pace car on the opening lap of the 200-lap race. Nacua, meanwhile, went for a ride in a custom two-seater with 2017 Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch.

"I think the two-seater has nothing on scoring a touchdown," Nacua, who tied for sixth in the NFL in touchdown catches (10) in 2025, told Fox Sports' Jamie Little before the race. "Scoring TDs are fun, but going fast is a lot funner."

It's @AsapPuka and Kurt Russell! pic.twitter.com/pR6kh0a1qk
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026

It's good for NASCAR that actors and athletes are involved in the motorsport's biggest race. The series' popularity has been waning for years. In November 2025, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported the 38 NASCAR Cup races averaged 2.476 million viewers in 2025, a 14% decline from 2024.

Including Lynch and others could help the sport rebound. But NASCAR better hope the former California Golden Bears star didn't take his cart for a joyride, as he did after running for a game-winning TD in a 31-24 victory over the Washington Huskies in October 2006.

There is only one man for the job ...

MARSHAWN LYNCH is our guest picker this Saturday for @CalFootball's first EVER GameDay! pic.twitter.com/Lxycfuk7YG
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 3, 2024

Fans in pit lane wouldn't appreciate that, nor would the drivers.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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