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The Daytona International Speedway in Florida, which will host NASCAR’s biggest race this weekend, and a White House official confirmed the President is planning to attend the race.
“Daytona International Speedway has been privileged to have hosted several sitting Presidents of the United States over our history,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said in a statement on Thursday. “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.”
Discussions are still underway about what exactly the President will do Sunday at the event, two sources familiar with the planning told CNN. One source confirmed there is a possibility Trump and part of his motorcade will take a lap on the flat part of the inner edge of the racetrack.
Race organizers, the White House and the Secret Service are still discussing whether the ride will happen.
Trump is the grand marshal of the race so he will start it by saying, “drivers start your engines.” He is also expected to make remarks before the race, a source familiar told CNN.
The President will see many friendly faces and signs at the race, with some eager fans already camping out in the infield wearing shirts with Trump 2020 logos. Multiple RVs displaying Trump 2020 signs could also be seen parked at the speedway on Saturday.
The Trump campaign announced this week it will air a television ad during the broadcast of the race on Fox Television touting what it calls the President’s record of accomplishments for Americans on the economy, border and national security, and on helping veterans.
“NASCAR fans are patriots who support the President in huge numbers, so we definitely wanted to communicate directly with them about Keeping America Great during the Great American Race,” Brad Pascale, Trump’s campaign manager, said in a statement.
Since October, Trump has attended three college football games, including the Army-Navy game, a World Series baseball game and an Ultimate Fighting Championship match.
The Trump campaign also made a seven-figure ad buy during the final game of the 2019 World Series and a $10 million ad buy during the 2020 Super Bowl.
This story has been updated with additional developments Saturday about Trump’s participation at the Daytona 500.
CNN’s Dianne Gallagher, Jason Hoffman and Noah Gray contributed to this report.
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