Actor James Franco named Daytona 500 Grand Marshal

James Franco

James Franco, who played the New Green Goblin in the recent “Spider-Man" trilogy and earned a best actor Oscar nomination for his performance in “127 Hours," will give the command to start engines for the Daytona 500.

Franco is the star of the upcoming Disney movie “Oz The Great and Powerful," which comes out next month.

Serving as grand marshal, Franco will five the command to “start your engines" just prior to the Feb. 24 race at Daytona International Speedway.

“We’re excited to welcome James Franco and have him take part in the prerace festivities for the Daytona 500," DIS President Joie Chitwood said.

Among those who have given the command for the Daytona 500 in past years have been John Travolta, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage, Kate Upton, Jane Lynch and Matthew McConaughey.