Actor Kal Penn to serve as honorary pace car driver for NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen

Move over White Castle, Kumar is headed to watch the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen.

Actor Kal Penn, who famously portrayed Kumar in the Harold and Kumar trilogy, and is known for roles in television series such as House and Designated Survivor, will be the honorary pace car driver for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen. The track sent out a press release on Tuesday announcing the exciting news.

“Watkins Glen International announced today that actor Kal Penn will serve as the honorary pace car driver ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, Aug. 20,” read the press release. “The famed actor and avid NASCAR fan will drive the official Watkins Glen Pace Car around the 2.45-mile road course, leading the field to green before the start of the second-to-last race of the 2023 regular season.”

Everyone from Penn, fans and Chip Wile, Senior Vice President and Chief Track Properties Officer at
NASCAR, can’t wait to see the actor hit the track and lead the field to green in the pivotal showdown.

“The upcoming race weekend at Watkins Glen International is sure to have a thrilling atmosphere with high stakes racing and stellar entertainment, and now it’s even more exciting with the addition of Kal Penn to our race day roster,” said Wile. “We’re honored to welcome Kal to The Glen, as well as all our fans, and can’t wait to get the triple-header race weekend underway.”

Additionally, Penn can do more than simply act, as he served in the White House as President Obama’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts community. Continuing, Penn also taught courses at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as his alma mater, the University of California, Los Angeles.

Moreover, Penn isn’t just some celebrity coming in for some clout. He’s been a NASCAR fan for awhile now, and can’t wait to get behind the wheel on Sunday.

“I’ve been a NASCAR fan for about a decade now, and I love seeing the sport grow in new directions,” said Penn. “Bucket list right here, to go from a fan to a fan who gets to be the Honorary Pace Car Driver for Go Bowling at The Glen. I know lots of owners are watching, and I am available if you need another driver on your team.”

Alas, NASCAR’s return to Watkins Glen should be a lot of fun, and with Kal Penn in the mix, that’s a guarantee. We can’t wait to see him behind the wheel to start what should be an exciting race.