Star-Studded Field Prepared For 61st Daytona 500

Daytona Beach, FL - The 61st running of the Great American Race is already shaping up to be one for the books with just two days to go.

That’s the word from Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile, who spoke on WNDB’s Bennett & Bernier Morning Show yesterday (February 14th), highlighting what spectators can expect from the 2019 Daytona 500.

“Everything we do all year around the Daytona 500 has to be the best,” said Wile. “We look at everything, if it doesn’t fit the bill, if it’s not the best of that category, we don’t put it in the 500.”

Fans got a taste of who would “fit the bill” at the 500 a few days ago (February 11th) when the speedway announced Houston Texans’ Defensive End J.J. Watt would give the command to start the engines as the Grand Marshal, ushering in the start of the race and the start of the 2019 NASCAR season.

Watt is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including raising $41 million following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

And to go along with the theme of NFL stars, the Daytona International Speedway announced that New England Patriots' Wide Receiver and Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Endelman would serve as this year's honorary starter, dropping the green flag on the Great American Race.