President Trump to attend Daytona 500 Sunday (Update)

President Trump to reportedly give command to start engines Sunday

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. President Donald Trump will be the grand marshal for the 2020 Daytona 500 set for next Sunday. He will give the command to drivers to start their engines ahead of the storied NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

Trump will be the first sitting president to serve as grand marshal since George W. Bush in 2004.

Track president Chip Wile provided a statement about the president attending the upcoming race:

"The Daytona 500 is one of the greatest events in sports and the prestigious season-opening event to the NASCAR Cup Series. Daytona International Speedway has been privileged to have hosted several sitting Presidents of the United States over our history. We’re honored that the President of the United States has chosen to experience the pageantry and excitement of 'The Great American Race' by attending Sunday’s 62nd annual Daytona 500."

02/11/20 President Donald Trump could be attending the Daytona 500 on Sunday, the DeLand Municipal Airport announced.

A notice to airmen, or NOTAM, released by the DeLand airport stated that the Federal Aviation Administration’s Daytona Beach Tower “has advised us that there is a strong possibility that President Trump will attend the Daytona 500 Sunday arriving about 13:30 [1:30 p.m.] and sticking around for a couple of hours."

The notice said such a visit would make flying over the Volusia County area difficult for a period of time on Sunday.

Airport manager John Eiff confirmed Tuesday that the airport was told by the FAA to prepare for Trump flying into the area, the trip was not yet official. Orlando Sentinel