'Captain America' star Anthony Mackie selected as Grand Marshal for 2025 Daytona 500

This week, Captain America: Brave New World star Anthony Mackie will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Daytona 500. The NASCAR season is going to start off with one of Marvel’s biggest stars in attendance.

This is a big get for NASCAR and the Great American Race. Having a relevant celebrity and Hollywood star serving as Grand Marshal is what the sport should be doing. Last year it was The Rock, this year, it is Mackie.

Of course, Mackie has starred in a number of films over the years. His recent role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe propelled him to fame as Sam Wilson.

“It’s a privilege to welcome Anthony Mackie as the Grand Marshal for the 67th running of the DAYTONA 500,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher in a press release. “Anthony’s energy and presence will add to the excitement, especially with Captain America: Brave New World set to release the same weekend. Having him deliver the most famous words in motorsports before the green flag waves will make for a truly unforgettable moment.”

How many people are going to do the Brave New World and Daytona 500 doubleheader weekend? You know there are Marvel/NASCAR fans who are actually dying to have this release and the Great American Race in the same weekend.

It is setting up to be a great week of NASCAR action. That is, as long as the rain stays away. Right now there are minor chances throughout the week with Sunday sitting at about a 50% chance of rain right now. Later in the day on Sunday, the chance of rain does go down.

Last year there was a somewhat unprecedented weekend of rain in Daytona for the 500 weekend. With how much rain has affected races in the last few years, let’s hope that the season-opener isn’t hindered by the weather for a second straight year.

Daytona 500 hoping to scare off the rain

This week there is a full schedule of action. NASCAR has added practice back to the Daytona 500, albeit just a single 50-minute session. Still, this will allow teams to roll off and make adjustments ahead of qualifying, which should make the competition even better.

Drivers will all be looking to start the year off on a high note. Guys like Kyle Busch need to show that they can still win races with their current teams. Then there are those like Denny Hamlin who have new crew chiefs and other team members, needing to prove the same thing.

After Sunday we will likely have the first driver lock themselves into the playoffs. Last year, William Byron won his first-ever Daytona 500. The field began to wreck as the last lap began. Fans will be hoping for a close race all the way to the last lap this year.

It is the first race and the most important race of the year. The Daytona 500. Winning it changes a driver’s life. Who will have their lives changed this week?