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President Donald Trump arrives at Daytona Beach International Airport ahead of the Daytona 500.
It’s confirmed: President Donald Trump will attend NASCAR’s Daytona 500 on Sunday in Florida. This marks his second attendance at “The Great American Race” during his presidency.
Speculation surrounded Trump’s participation due to Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) established over West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach. The White House has now officially confirmed Trump’s schedule for Sunday.
This visit follows Trump’s attendance at Super Bowl LIX, making him the first sitting president to be present at a Super Bowl.
Here’s what we know:
When will Donald Trump arrive at the Daytona 500?
The White House has released Trump’s official travel schedule for Sunday, February 16:
- 11:55AM | President Trump departs Palm Beach International Airport for Daytona Beach International Airport
- 12:45PM | President Trump lands at Daytona Beach International Airport
- 1:10PM | President Trump expected to arrive at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500
- 3:05 PM | President Trump leaves the Daytona 500
- 3:30PM | President Trump departs from Daytona Beach International Airport for Palm Beach International Airport
- 4:15PM | President Trump arrives at Palm Beach International Airport
- 4:30PM | President Trump arrives back at Mar-A-Lago Resort.
President Trump welcomed by Rick Scott, Randy Fine
President Donald Trump arrives at Daytona Beach International Airport ahead of the Daytona 500. He was welcomed by Sen. Rick Scott and state Sen. Randy Fine, among others. They shared a few moments of conversation before taking a photo. Trump is on his way to the Daytona 500.
Shortly after landing, President Donald Trump was welcomed on the tarmac by Sen. Rick Scott and state Sen. Randy Fine. The trio, along with others, conversed briefly before posing for a photo. President Trump then boarded a limousine and departed for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
What will President Trump do at the Daytona 500?
In 2020, President Trump served as the Grand Marshal of the Daytona 500, giving the command for drivers to start their engines. He and First Lady Melania Trump then made laps around Daytona International Speedway in the presidential limo, dubbed “The Beast.”
It remains uncertain whether Trump will give the same command at this year’s event.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand on pit road for the national anthem as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds conduct a flyover prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Day
President Trump’s 2020 Daytona 500 Experience
In 2020, President Donald Trump attended the Daytona 500 as Grand Marshal, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.
He made a few comments prior to the race and delivered the memorable command for drivers to start their engines.
“The Daytona 500 is the legendary showcase of roaring engines, soaring spirits and the American skill, speed, and power we’ve celebrated for so long,” Trump stated, as reported previously by FOX 35 News.
He referred to the fans present at the racetrack as “patriots,” emphasizing that “NASCAR fans remember that regardless of who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, and country.”
Daytona 500 Weather Forecast: Rain Predictions?
Expect a warm and breezy day in Central Florida, particularly along the Interstate 4 corridor. Wind gusts are anticipated to reach between 35-40 mph, with temperatures in the 80s.
A cold front is predicted to pass through Daytona Beach in the afternoon and early evening, coinciding with the Daytona 500 race. Heavy rain is expected between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Note that the green flag will wave at 1:30 p.m.
Following the cold front’s passage, temperatures will drop into the 60s tonight.
When will the Daytona 500 take place?
The Daytona 500 race is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race will start at 1:30 p.m. (this has been moved up an hour due to potential weather concerns on Sunday afternoon).
How to watch the Daytona 500?
The Daytona 500 will be broadcast on FOX and FOX 35 Orlando, beginning at 1:30 p.m. (the start time has been adjusted up an hour due to potential weather issues).
FOX 35’s pre-race coverage will kick off at 7 a.m. during Good Day Orlando and continue until 12:30 p.m. Viewers can watch on TV or stream it on FOX Local. FOX will also provide its own pre-race coverage on TV shortly thereafter.
Race Length?
The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile race. Daytona International Speedway spans 2.5 miles, necessitating 200 laps to complete the 500-mile journey.
Recent winners of the Daytona 500 include:
2024: William Byron
2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2022: Austin Cindric
2021: Michael McDowell
2020: Denny Hamlin
2019: Denny Hamlin
2018: Austin Dillon
2017: Kurt Busch
2016: Denny Hamlin
2015: Joey Logano
2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2013: Jimmie Johnson
2012: Matt Kenseth
2011: Trevor Bayne
2010: Jamie McMurray
2009: Matt Kenseth
2008: Ryan Newman
2007: Kevin Harvick
2006: Jimmie Johnson
2005: Jeff Gordon
2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2003: Michael Waltrip
2002: Ward Burton
2001: Michael Waltrip
2000: Dale Jarrett
1999: Jeff Gordon
1998: Dale Earnhardt
1997: Jeff Gordon
1996: Dale Jarrett
1995: Sterling Marlin
1994: Sterling Marlin
1993: Dale Jarrett
1992: Davey Allison
1991: Ernie Irvan
1990: Derrike Cope
1989: Darrell Waltrip
1988: Bobby Allison
1987: Bill Elliott
1986: Geoff Bodine
1985: Bill Elliott
1984: Cale Yarborough
1983: Cale Yarborough
1982: Bobby Allison
1981: Richard Petty
1980: Buddy Baker
1979: Richard Petty
1978: Bobby Allison
1977: Cale Yarborough
1976: David Pearson
1975: Benny Parsons
1974: Richard Petty
1973: Richard Petty
1972: A.J. Foyt
1971: Richard Petty
1970: Pete Hamilton
1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough
1968: Cale Yarborough
1967: Mario Andretti
1966: Richard Petty
1965: Fred Lorenzen
1964: Richard Petty
1963: Tiny Lund
1962: Glenn “Fireball” Roberts
1961: Marvin Panch
1960: Junior Johnson
1959: Lee Petty
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Source: Information in this article is sourced from NASCAR, Daytona 500, the White House, and previous FOX 35 reporting.
