After retiring from the NFL at the close of the 2015 season, he has started to dabble in other areas of the sporting world – and he’s taking a glance at NASCAR now!
Peyton Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion and fellow Nationwide spokesperson, will take up a post as the honorary pace car driver for the 60th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 18th, 2018.
“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 statement. “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.”
The season-opening race is one of the biggest NASCAR events of the year and Manning expressed his immense honor and gratitude to be able to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Manning will be driving a Toyota Camry XSE and pace out the 40 car entrants prior to the green flag.
“Serving as the Honorary Pace Car Driver will be a truly unique and exciting experience,” Manning said. “I want to thank NASCAR, Daytona International Speedway and Nationwide for making this possible. I’m really looking forward to race day.”
Check out Peyton Manning’s on-track football pass to Michael Waltrip during the 2016 Food City 500 at Bristol in the video below.