Hollywood star Anthony Mackie has been named the grand marshal of this weekend’s Daytona 500, according to an announcement by Daytona International Speedway. Mackie, best known for his role as Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is playing the role in the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World.
“It’s a privilege to welcome Anthony Mackie as the Grand Marshal for the 67th running of the Daytona 500,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Anthony’s energy and presence will add to the excitement, especially with Captain America: Brave New World set to release the same weekend. Having him deliver the most famous words in motorsports before the green flag waves will make for a truly unforgettable moment.”
Mackie will be taking over the mantle of Captain America in the upcoming film, a role previously held on-screen by Chris Evans’ character. Before joining the Marvel films, Mackie gained recognition for his roles in 8 Mile opposite Eminem, Netflix’s Black Mirror, and the Best Picture Oscar-winner The Hurt Locker. He’s been nominated in the Screen Actors Guild awards, and played historical icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Tupac Shakur.
As grand marshal, Mackie will deliver the iconic “drivers, start your engines” command before the green flag at the start of the Great American Race. Also present at the race Sunday will be President Donald Trump, who’s attending his second Daytona 500 following an appearance in 2020. Mackie joins a long list of cultural icons to deliver the command to start engines in the Daytona 500, such as the following since 2010:
- 2025 – Anthony Mackie
- 2024 – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
- 2023 – Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Joey Logano
- 2022 – Charles Woodson
- 2021 – Pitbull
- 2020 – Donald Trump
- 2019 – J.J. Watt
- 2018 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2017 – Owen Wilson
- 2016 – Gerard Butler
- 2015 – Vince Vaughn
- 2014 – Chris Evans
- 2013 – James Franco
- 2012 – Kate Upton & Jane Lynch
- 2011 – Michael Bay, Josh Duhamel, & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
- 2010 – Junior Johnson
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
