Daytona 500 pace car duty goes to 'Reacher' star Alan Ritchson
Actor Alan Ritchson, star of the show "Reacher," will drive the pace car for the Daytona 500.
Ritchson will be driving a Chevrolet Blazer SS, marking the first time an electric vehicle will pace the Daytona 500.
While the President Trump rumors continue to hang out there, the Daytona 500 filled in another piece of its pre-race show for Sunday's 67th running of the Great American Race.
Alan Ritchson, star of the Amazon Prime Video hit, 'Reacher,' has been given the wheel of the pace car that will lead the Daytona 500 field to the green flag.
The burly action star teased the possibility of a longer role when the news was announced Tuesday.
'It's an honor to be named the honorary pace car driver for the Daytona 500,' he said before dangling an intriguing but very, very unlikely possibility.
'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.'
The muscle man won't be driving a muscle car, however. Ritchson will be driving Chevrolet's new and electric Blazer SS, the first EV to lead the Daytona 500 to green. That news dropped Monday and wasn't necessarily met with worldwide acceptance.
Along with Tuesday's Ritchson announcement, the Speedway had previously announced a grand marshal (Captain America star Anthony Mackie) and pre-race entertainer (Pitbull), as well another pre-race flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Still to be announced is national anthem singer and honorary starter — and, of course, a yes or no to those Donald Trump rumors.
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