President Donald Trump traveled to Daytona Beach, Fla. to attend the infamous Daytona 500 NASCAR race on Sunday.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk down the stairs from Air Force One at Daytona International Airport on Sunday. They were in front of racing fans soon after. (N-J/David Tucker/TNS)
Trump first flew over the Daytona International Speedway in the Air Force One presidential plane.
Air Force One carrying President Donald Trump landed Sunday afternoon at Daytona Beach International Airport. (Andres Leiva / The Palm Beach Post/TNS)
Later, his motorcade arrived at the track and he took a lap in the presidential limousine, “The Beast.”
The presidential limousine carrying President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump makes a lap around the track at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
The presidential limousine carrying President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump makes a lap around the track at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
Trump also served as the first sitting president to serve as grand marshal in the event.
The presidential limousine carrying President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump makes a lap around the track at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
Trump met with NASCAR drivers and crew members ahead of the race.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump meets with NACSAR drivers and personnel while attending the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by NACSAR drivers and personnel while attending the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
Alongside First Lady Melania Trump, President Trump gave a short speech ahead of the race, then gave the “start your engines” command to the drivers.
President Donald Trump at the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (N-J/Nigel Cook/TNS)
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump applaud the crowd after delivering remarks at the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
President Donald J. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, announces the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race as the race’s grand marshal Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
“The Daytona 500 is a legendary display of roaring engines, soaring spirits and the American skill, speed and power that we’ve been hearing about for so many years,” Trump said. “The tens of thousands of patriots here today have come for the fast cars and the world class motorsports, but NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family, and country.”
As the Thunderbirds fly overhead, President Donald J. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, announces the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race as the race’s grand marshal Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
Trump later walked onto the track where he said, “Daytona International Speedway, we love our country and it’s truly an honor to be with all of you at the great American race. Gentlemen, start your engines.”
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump place their hands on their hearts during the national anthem as the Thunderbirds fly overhead before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
The Trumps also met with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demo team at the Daytona Beach International Airport after they performed a flyover during the national anthem.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet members of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds at Daytona Beach International Airport in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, after attending the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race where the Thunderbirds performed a flyover. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
The Thunderbirds team presented the Trumps with a framed photo of the Thunderbirds jets, and also posed for a group photo.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with members of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds at Daytona Beach International Airport in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, after attending the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race where the Thunderbirds performed a flyover. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
