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Peyton Manning will drive pace car at Daytona 500

By Nick Tylwalk

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Former quarterback Peyton Manning looks on prior to Super Bowl LII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Former quarterback Peyton Manning looks on prior to Super Bowl LII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The two-time Super Bowl champ and surefire NFL Hall of Famer will lead the cars around Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

Peyton Manning called it quits on his stellar NFL career after the 2015 season, but maybe he’ll consider a new career in NASCAR after a cameo in this year’s Daytona 500.

Okay, probably not. But Manning will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Daytona 500, as announced today by Daytona International Speedway. Fans at the track and viewers watching at home on FOX will see Manning behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry XSE before the field, led by Alex Bowman, takes the green flag.

“Serving as the Honorary Pace Car Driver will be a truly unique and exciting experience,” Manning said in a press release. “I want to thank NASCAR, Daytona International Speedway and Nationwide for making this possible. I’m really looking forward to race day.”

As the former quarterback mentioned, it’s a natural fit considering his role as a Nationwide spokesperson, one that has seen Manning continue beyond his career on the football field by finding new ways to put spins on the company’s earworm of a jingle. No word on whether Papa John’s is considering associate sponsorship on Manning’s pace car.

“We’re talking true star power with this announcement, as Peyton Manning is one of the legends of both college football and the NFL,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said in a press release. “He also has the persona and popularity to match his achievements. He’ll be an awesome Honorary Pace Car Driver and a great addition to our lineup of high-profile guests for the 60th DAYTONA 500.”

Next: See the entire 2018 Daytona 500 entry list

Coverage of the Daytona 500 begins with a pre-race show at 11:00 a.m. ET on FOX this Sunday, with the race broadcast proper beginning at 2:30 p.m. The green flag is scheduled for approximately 2:49 p.m., so you’ll want to tune in shortly before that to see Manning in action, as it were.

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