Daytona International Speedway names Kyle Petty grand marshal for Cup race
Daytona International Speedway says Kyle Petty will serve as grand marshal for Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Coke Zero 400 at the track.
Petty, who is also serving as an analyst for TNT's broadcast of the race, will give the command to start the engines to the 43-car field as well as his father, seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty, who will pace the field in a car that is a replica of the one he drove in his 200th Cup win 25 years ago at the track.
“On a weekend where we’re honoring Richard Petty and his 25th anniversary of his 200th win, we’re proud to have Kyle deliver the starting command,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “The Petty family has always had a strong bond with Daytona International Speedway, and it’s going to be a special moment for race fans to have Kyle utter the four most famous words in motorsports to both his father and 43 stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”
Richard Petty will be honored throughout the weekend as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of his series-record 200th win, which occurred at Dayona July 4, 1984, with President Ronald Reagan in attendance.
The track has a number of activities planned this weekend with the elder Petty, including fan forums, displays of race-winning Petty cars and a special Petty ticket package.
