Alan Ritchson named Honorary Pace Car Driver for the DAYTONA 500
Today at 11:07 AM
Daytona International Speedway announced today that Alan Ritchson will add some muscle as the honorary pace car driver for the DAYTONA 500. The actor and producer will lead the field to green for the 67th running of The Great American Race.
"Alan Ritchson serving as our honorary pace car driver for the DAYTONA 500 is sure to add strength to our star-studded dignitaries during pre-race festivities," said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. "Alan knows all about high stakes and performing in clutch time as he does in the Prime Video hit series Reacher, and we‘re looking forward to him leading the Cup Series drivers to the green flag."
Ritchson portrays the title character in the Amazon Original series Reacher, which debuted in 2022 on Prime Video. In the show, Reacher is a former U.S. Army military policeman with brute strength, intellect and abilities. The action-crime series is based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child and each season is based off a different Jack Reacher novel. Season 3 is set to premiere on Feb. 20, 2025, on Prime Video, and was renewed for a fourth season back in October.
Ritchson will soon return for his titular role and as an executive producer on the third season of Reacher. He has wrapped production on War Machine for Netflix and is further set to reprise his role in the untitled 11th installment of Universal Pictures‘ Fast and Furious blockbuster franchise. Under his first-look film deal and separate three-picture deal for acting with Amazon MGM Studios, Ritchson is set to produce and star in the Adam Shankman-directed holiday comedy The Man With The Bag alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in addition to the producing and headlining the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks‘ latest bestseller, Counting Miracles.
"It‘s an honor to be named the honorary pace car driver for the DAYTONA 500," said Ritchson. "I hope the drivers are feeling extra competitive this year because there‘s no way I‘m ditching after the first lap. My dream has always been to win the DAYTONA 500. This is my year."
Ritchson will be driving the 2025 Blazer EV SS, announced on Monday by Chevrolet as the pace vehicle for The Great American Race.
The action begins on Wednesday, Feb. 12, with DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light, setting the field for the Duel At DAYTONA, which occurs the following night on Thursday, Feb. 13, where drivers will battle it out for a spot in the coveted Great American Race.
The season-opening races for all three NASCAR national series as well as the ARCA Menards Series kick off on Friday, Feb. 14, starting with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250. Saturday, Feb. 15, will feature an action-packed double-header with the ARCA Menards Series Ride the 'Dente 200 Presented by Chili‘s followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300.
Then Sunday, Feb. 16, directly following GRAMMY® Award Winning Artist Pitbull‘s pre-race show, the USAF Thunderbirds will perform their flyover, preparing both fans and drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series for an intense battle in the 67th running of the DAYTONA 500.
— Daytona International Speedway —
