Posted on 02/15/2020 5:38:14 AM PST by Hojczyk
President Trump’s appearance at the Daytona 500 on Sunday may feature a guest appearance from the presidential limousine known as “The Beast.”
Trump is planning to take a lap around the track at Daytona International Speedway prior to the venerable NASCAR event, Fox News chief White House correspondent John Roberts reported on Friday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. Plans have not yet been finalized.
NASCAR named Trump the grand marshal of the Daytona 500, marking the first time a sitting president has held the honor. He is the latest of several presidents to visit the historic race.
Daytona International Speedway has been privileged to have hosted several sitting Presidents of the United States over our history,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said in a statement. “We’re honored that the President of the United States has chosen to experience the pageantry and excitement of ‘The Great American Race’ by attending Sunday’s 62nd annual Daytona 50
Former President George W. Bush attended the Daytona 500 in 2004. His father, former president George H.W. Bush, attended a July race at Daytona in 1992 and Ronald Reagan attended a race in 1984.
The Secret Service won’t allow it. He’d be a sitting duck.
I don’t know but I watched a video of the testing it goes through and for something that big and that heavy it was incredibly fast and agile
Well, that's the thing. Nobody knows for sure but this tank of an automobile supposedly can only do about 60 mph.
Might have to drive on the apron...
If I recall correctly, there are five levels of armored vehicles. The Beast is level six.
Every inch of the Speedway is being inspected. There will be no point when POTUS is not behind ballistic glass.
I hope he drives! What a visual that’d make! All the windows down, his yellow hair flapping, burning rubber, maybe doing some donuts... Alright, I realize it isn’t going to happen, and would damage the dignity of the office. But it’d be fun and it’d definitely bring out the redneck vote.
actually it’s steeper 31 degrees...
Probably putting a governor on the Beast to prevent an overzealous driver from doing “the stupid”...
Not just NASCAR fans.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For me, it was an “acquired” interest. I never had any interest in NASCAR, couldn’t stand it on TV .... and then a friend invited me to a race. Oh boy .... those engines started up, the stands were rattling/shaking, & I was thinking ‘how in the heck are all those cars going to make it around this small track?’ Well, they did ... and even though we froze our patooties off (February race, a long time ago - now it’s in September), it was a fantastic experience. I went to a second race (with my own ear plugs) & loved it.
The result of all of this is that when I watch on TV, I KNOW what it’s like to be there in person & it carries over to the race. I now like watching on TV because #1 - no 30+ minute lines at the ladies room #2 you get replays when something happens #3 you get to see all the pit crew action (which I enjoy almost as much as the race) #4 you get great announcers (some being former drivers, etc.) and I enjoy their perspective & knowledge.
Anyway, I have been a NASCAR fan for a good while - I LOVE it that Trump will be there & I do hope he gets to make a lap ... the roar from the crowd should be incredible!!
“Mike Harmon Racing has announced that the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Joe Nemechek will carrying the Patriotic colors of ‘TRUMP / PENCE 2020’ in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15.”
I attended the Daytona 500 in 1984. Then Vice President Bush attended, not President Reagan.
It’s doubly awesome because it will drive the liberals cray-zeeee.
Might have to have the Nascar garage guys “tweak” the turbocharger.
Peak deplorable.
I think this is terrific, and a sign that NASCAR may have pulled its head out of its derriere after going woke for a while.
Just had a quick yak with someone who’s worked the Daytona 500. He thinks if they do the lap, it’ll have to be on the apron because of the banking. Still really cool even if so.
I've been on the track looking down the oval toward the turns.
Very intimidating left turns.
I wonder what top speed would be on a 31' bank on a 15,000 lb car...
My guess about 50 MPH
They should remove the mufflers and catalytic convertor so she ROARS around the track!
“Wondering what The Beast has under its hood? Gas or diesel?”
With 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of armor, “a bubble top thicker than the protective cockpit of an F-16 fighter”, and a 340-horsepower (250 kW) V8 unleaded gasoline engine, the 11,000-pound (5,000 kg) car could still reach speeds of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) — or 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) with four flat tires.
As the pit and pace car speeds are regulated at each track, and driving that metal monster trying to maintain the speed would be difficult as it was not designed to run fast, just take a hit.
But the Pace speed at Daytona is 70 MPH and is one of 3 in NASCAR that runs that fast. Indianapolis is also 70 at the Indy Car level. These are the fastest of the pace needs for motor racing in the major speedways in the US. Everyone else is slower.
https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/12/21/2018-pit-road-pace-car-speeds-for-every-nascar-track/
rwood
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