Added on February 22, 2016  The News Wheel   ,
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Gerard Butler Acts as Grand Marshal of Daytona 500

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Gerard Butler Daytona Grand Marshall

Gerard Butler, an actor most widely known for his roles in Olympus Has Fallen, The Phantom of the Opera, and Zack Snyder’s 300, was chosen to be the Grand Marshal of this weekend’s 58th running of the Daytona 500 in Florida. Rubbing elbows with fellow celebrities (like Pace Car driver John Cena) and giving interviews are all a part of the job, but when it comes down to brass tacks, everyone is waiting to see just how well you can tell drivers to turn their cars on.

Check out Mr. Butler in action below.


We’re not sure if the first part of Mr. Butler’s speech where he entreats the audience to yell “This is Daytona!” was part of the original plan, but the actor managed a pretty impressive bellow to proclaim “Drivers, start your engines!”

this is sparta

Before the big race, Gerard Butler confided to USA Today that if he could play any NASCAR driver on the big screen, he would choose Dale Earnhardt Jr., because his story is phenomenal as an athlete and as a member of a storied motorsport family.

Speaking of family, Gerard Butler brought several family members, including his mother and stepfather to the event. It’s no secret that Gerard Butler is a motorsports fan, as he has been spotted at many Infiniti Red Bull Racing events throughout the world. Perhaps his time as Grand Marshal will mean that he’ll be seen hanging around NASCAR’s pit road more often.

News Source: USA Today