Nate Bargatze named Grand Marshal for 2026 Daytona 500

Comedian Nate Bargatze will lead the festivities at the iconic NASCAR race.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 9:39am

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The 2026 Daytona 500 has announced that comedian Nate Bargatze will serve as the Grand Marshal for the iconic NASCAR race. This comes a week after actor Kurt Russell was tapped to drive the pace car. The Daytona 500 is set to take place on February 11, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is one of the most prestigious events in motorsports, drawing massive crowds and television audiences. Having high-profile celebrities like Nate Bargatze and Kurt Russell participate in the pre-race festivities helps generate excitement and interest in the event.

The details

As Grand Marshal, Nate Bargatze will give the command for drivers to start their engines and participate in other ceremonial duties before the start of the race. Bargatze is a popular stand-up comedian known for his dry, observational humor. This will be his first involvement with the Daytona 500.

  • The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 11, 2026.
  • Nate Bargatze was named Grand Marshal a week after Kurt Russell was announced as the pace car driver.

The players

Nate Bargatze

A stand-up comedian known for his dry, observational humor who will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2026 Daytona 500.

Kurt Russell

An actor who was tapped to drive the pace car for the 2026 Daytona 500.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Daytona 500 continues to attract high-profile celebrities to participate in its pre-race festivities, helping to build excitement and interest in the iconic NASCAR event.