Reality TV star Ty Pennington will serve as the grand marshal for the second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
While the Daytona 500 and the events leading up to the big event have dominated the NASCAR news cycle, the second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race of the season now has a grand marshal. Atlanta native Ty Pennington will serve in the role for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
Pennington is best known for his roles on TLC’s Trading Spaces and ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He has plenty of fans who have followed him during both show’s tenures. Likewise, Pennington is a local guy and his personality is perfect to kick off the Atlanta Motor Speedway race.
In addition to kicking off the race by telling drivers to start their engines, he’ll meet some lucky fans and attend the pre-race drivers’ meetings. Being a grand marshal is an awesome honor that allows an inside look into the sport for those selected for the role. In addition, they get plenty of airtime before any major race action happens.
Pennington has a very eccentric personality. It’s one of the reasons why he had his roles on Trading Spaces and Extreme Makeover: Home Edtion. Likewise, his carpenter skills are very good as well.
However, NASCAR won’t need his carpentry expertise on race day. Instead, they’ll want him to be his normal self. It would not be shocking if Pennington finds a unique way to give the drivers their command.
Next: Ty Pennington to be Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 grand marshal
NASCAR picked a perfect grand marshal. Pennington graduated from The Art Institute of Atlanta. Now Pennington returns to television as all eyes will be on him to get the cars started. If NASCAR and Fox are smart, they’ll incorporate the reality star into the broadcast further as well.