Comedian Nate Bargatze Serves as Daytona 500 Grand Marshal

Bargatze considered making a joke about the number of feet in 500 miles but decided to keep it simple for the big race.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Comedian Nate Bargatze served as the grand marshal for the 2026 Daytona 500 auto race. Bargatze, known for his popular "Washington's Dream" sketches on "Saturday Night Live," initially considered making a joke about how many feet are in 500 miles, but ultimately decided to keep his pre-race remarks straightforward. Bargatze is enjoying a successful career, with a hit Netflix special, a Grammy win, and an upcoming starring role in a new movie.

Why it matters

Bargatze's appearance at the Daytona 500 as grand marshal highlights his rising star status in the comedy world. The Daytona 500 is one of the most high-profile sporting events in the United States, so Bargatze's involvement helps expand his mainstream recognition beyond his loyal stand-up fanbase.

The details

Bargatze said he initially thought about making a joke about how many feet are in 500 miles, but decided against it after testing the bit out at a recent show and finding it fell flat. He also considered making a joke about veteran driver Jimmie Johnson, but ultimately opted to keep his pre-race remarks simple and straightforward. Bargatze is enjoying a breakout year, with a hit Netflix special, a Grammy win, and an upcoming starring role in a new movie called "The Breadwinner."

  • Bargatze served as grand marshal for the 2026 Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026.
  • Bargatze recently won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for "Your Friend, Nate Bargatze."

The players

Nate Bargatze

A popular stand-up comedian known for his "Washington's Dream" sketches on "Saturday Night Live" and his successful Netflix specials and comedy tours.

Jimmie Johnson

A veteran NASCAR driver who Bargatze considered making a joke about during the Daytona 500 pre-race festivities.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I thought about doing like, how many feet are in 500 miles. Nobody knows.”

— Nate Bargatze, Comedian

“It's going to be insanity. It's been a dream to be asked to do this.”

— Nate Bargatze, Comedian

What’s next

Bargatze will resume his "Big Dumb Eyes World Tour" this week with a show in Rockford, Illinois, and he is also set to host the ABC game show "The Greatest Average American."

The takeaway

Nate Bargatze's appearance as grand marshal of the Daytona 500 showcases his rising star status in the comedy world, as he continues to find success with his stand-up specials, tours, and upcoming acting roles.