Courtesy of Daytona International Speedway Media Relations

Race Day is always a star studded event.  The opening race of the 2019 season will not disappoint.  Unlike other sports, the first race is the biggest stage of the season.  Here are some entertaining things to look for.

Jake Owen Does the Pre-Race Show

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2019) – Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Jake Owen will perform the DAYTONA 500 Pre-Race Show prior to the 61st running of “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 17 (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Daytona International Speedway.

A native Floridian, Owen is no stranger to Daytona Beach, having featured the “World’s Most Famous Beach” in the video and hit song “Beachin’”.

“Fans will be able to see one of the hottest names in country music perform on stage prior to ‘The Great American Race,’” said Chip Wile, president of Daytona International Speedway. “Jake is going to deliver an unforgettable experience to our fans prior to another thrilling edition of the DAYTONA 500.”

82nd Airborne Division Chorus Will Perform the National Anthem

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 8, 2019) – The 82nd Airborne Division’s “All-American” Chorus, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., will sing the National Anthem prior to the 61st annual DAYTONA 500, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race scheduled for Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway (TV – FOX; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM).

Hailing from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the All-American Chorus has been serving as musical ambassadors for the 82nd Airborne Division for over 55 years. They previously sung the National Anthem for the 2016 DAYTONA 500.

JJ Watt Will Serve as Grand Marshall

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2019) – Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt will become the first NFL player to give the command to start engines at the DAYTONA 500 when he serves as Grand Marshal for the 61st running of “The Great American Race” on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN, Sirius XM).

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Grand Marshal for this year’s ‘Great American Race,’ ” Watt sad. “The DAYTONA 500 is a truly iconic event with a rich history and I am very much looking forward to taking in the action up close and personal this year.”

Julian Edelman Will Be the Honorary Starter

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2019) –New England Patriots wide receiver and Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman has been named the Honorary Starter for the 61st annual DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Edelman will wave the green flag for “The Great American Race,” the season-opening event for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN, Sirius XM).

Edelman, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is fresh off of a MVP performance with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, where he had a total of 10 catches for 141 yards.

Edelman set the record for most Super Bowl first-half receptions with seven and Super Bowl punt returns with eight. Edelman finished the recent NFL postseason with a total of 26 receptions for 388 yards, placing him second behind only Jerry Rice in all-time playoff receptions and receiving yards.

“Julian Edelman is an incredible addition to the list of pre-race dignitaries for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “We’re honored to have such a superb athlete, who recently won on NFL’s biggest stage and was the Super Bowl MVP, wave the green flag for NASCAR’s premier event.”

USAF Thunderbirds Will Perform Flyover

On Thursday prior to the Gander RV Duel 150-mile qualifying races, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Matt DiBenedetto and NASCAR President Steve Phelps flew with the world-renowned United States Air Force Thunderbirds.

In 2019, both Suarez and DiBenedetto are driving for new teams beginning with Sunday’s 61st DAYTONA 500. Suarez will start from 23rd in the No. 41 Haas Automation Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing. DiBenedetto will roll off ninth in the No. 95 Procore Toyota Camry for Leavine Family Racing.

The USAF Thunderbirds will perform the flyover for the DAYTONA 500 for the 10th year. The Thunderbirds flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft.

Honorary pace truck driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 

1972 Daytona 500 champion A.J. Foyt –