Eddy Alvarez and Candy Lover headline dignitaries for Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Today at 04:12 PM
Two-sport Olympic medalist Eddy Alvarez returns to his Miami roots to lead the field to green as the honorary pace car driver, while influencer and singer Candy Lover will perform the National Anthem prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 this Sunday as part of NASCAR‘s Playoff weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the track announced today.
"We are proud to welcome Eddy to his home track as our honorary pace car driver to celebrate the positive impact he has had on so many Hispanic and Cuban-American athletes and fans, inspiring them to chase their dreams in sports," said Guillermo Santa Cruz, President of Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Candy Lover has a tremendous voice and vibrant presence that will energize the crowd prior to the Straight Talk Wireless 400 Playoff race.
Additionally, Daymond John will serve as the Grand Marshal for Saturday‘s NASCAR Xfinity Series event. The founder of global fashion brand FUBU, star of Emmy Award-winning Shark Tank, and investor in the show‘s breakout product Tenikle, The People‘s Shark will give the command to get the engines fired up for the Playoff race.
"Daymond John has made a name for himself as an entrepreneur and helps so many other rising businesspeople make a name for themselves, too," said Santa Cruz. "It‘s only fitting that he serves as the Grand Marshal for the Xfinity Series race where an up-and-coming driver is going after the chance to put his name in the record books as a NASCAR champion."
Alvarez is the sixth athlete overall, and only the third American ever, to medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympics in different disciplines. He won a silver medal in speed skating at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, then became the first winter Olympian since Jim Thorpe to play Major League Baseball when he made his debut with his hometown Miami Marlins in 2020.
He then later competed for the United States in baseball at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal with the team. He was chosen as the Team USA flag bearer for those games, alongside legendary basketball player Sue Bird.
Candy Lover is a Puerto Rican singer, businesswoman, and influencer with more than 12 million followers across social networks under the handle @CandyLover89. Currently, she is embarking on her most important journey, yet, under the guidance of her record label "Love for Bling." Candy Lover recently released her album "Lover" which debuted on No. 1 on Latin iTunes, as well as her Halloween EP "Dark Lover," showcasing the versatility of this trailblazing artist.
She is an ambassador for several beauty brands, a three-time American Influencer Award winner, and the owner of her self-made beauty and fashion brand "Angelix Beauty." No stranger to NASCAR, last year she sang the National Anthem prior to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.
The Grand Marshal group for the Straight Talk Wireless 400 will be comprised of individuals representing first responder agencies and frontline workers involved in hurricane relief efforts across the state of Florida in recent weeks.
Additionally, Verizon Frontline will support a ceremonial first lap in honor of first responders set to take place prior to the start of the Straight Talk Wireless 400. The lap will include a number of state and local public safety agency representatives and multiple police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles.
Previously announced, GRAMMY-winning DJ Cedric Gervais will return as the pre-race show performer on Sunday prior to the Straight Talk Wireless 400. The Miami Beach resident is back for the second straight year to transform the frontstretch into a club scene to help pump up the crowd for the green flag.
Gervais won a Grammy as a producer for best remix for his version of the popular Lana Del Rey song "Summertime Sadness" in 2013. Notable remixes Gervais has produced include Willy Moon‘s "Yeah Yeah," Katy Perry‘s "Wide Awake," and Borgore‘s "Decisions." He also has 6.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and had acting roles in the films "Mile 22," "Deepwater Horizon," "Patriot‘s Day," and "Pain & Gain."
Fans can get right on the track to catch Gervais‘ set and all the pre-race festivities prior to the Straight Talk Wireless 400 by purchasing an Infield Grounds Pass, starting at $50. The pass grants you access to the iconic frontstretch at Homestead-Miami Speedway for pre-race activities such as driver intros and the Cedric Gervais pre-race show. The Infield Grounds Pass is an add-on that requires a Sunday admission ticket for entry. While children under 12 pay only $10 for a Sunday admission ticket, they can access the infield for free when accompanied by a paying adult with an Infield Grounds Pass. Military members can verify their eligibility for a special offer on Infield Grounds Passes.
The NASCAR Playoffs race weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 26. The day kicks off with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Baptist Health 200 at noon ET followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Credit One® NASCAR® AMEX Credit Card 300 at 4 p.m. ET. The NASCAR Cup Series will cap off the weekend‘s action on Sunday, Oct. 27, with the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at 2:30 p.m.
Fans can purchase tickets for both this weekend‘s Playoff action and the spring NASCAR race weekend, March 21-23, via phone at 866-409-7223 or online at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
— Homestead-Miami Speedway —
