Actor Chris Evans is 2014 Daytona 500 Grand Marshall
By Daily Mail UK, 23 February 2014
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Daytona has called on Captain America to kick off "The Great American Race."
Actor Chris Evans will serve as grand marshal and give the command to "start your engines" for the Feb. 23 Daytona 500.
Evans stars in "Captain America: The Winter Solider," scheduled for release on April 4.
He joins a list of previous Daytona 500 grand marshalls that includes Ben Affleck, Kate Upton, Matthew McConaughey and James Franco.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Five things to know about what's going on at Daytona International Speedway before Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500:
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CHRIS EVANS: Daytona called on Captain America to kick off "The Great American Race." Evans served as grand marshal and gave the command for drivers to start their engines before the Daytona 500. Evans stars in "Captain America: The Winter Solider," scheduled for release April 4. He joined a list of previous Daytona 500 grand marshals that included Ben Affleck, Kate Upton, Matthew McConaughey and James Franco. He posed for pictures beforehand with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Evans was thrilled to get tabbed for the signature start. "It is an honor," he said. "It's a little intimidating at this point." Evans attended one previous NASCAR race and said he was wowed by how pit crews operate. "It's all things that are relatively foreign to me," he said. "To see how much goes into it, there's just an enormous amount of respect." Evans, though, is no gearhead. "I don't even drive that fast," he said. "It's not really my speed."
Actor Chris Evans answers a question during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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GARY SINISE: Actor Gary Sinise's entourage at Daytona included a special guest. Sinise, most famous for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 blockbuster "Forrest Gump," brought injured Marine Sgt. Mike Nicholson with him to the famed track. Nicholson lost both legs and an arm in a bombing in Afghanistan. The Gary Sinise Foundation, which raises money to help the nation's veterans, first responders and their families, recently finished a smart-technology home for Nicholson. "I've been able to use my success in the movie business to shine a light on some of the things our military are going through," Sinise said. He was the honorary starter and waved the green flag to start the race. He waited nearly two years to attend his first NASCAR race. He was supposed to serve as grand marshal at Martinsville Speedway in March 2012, but was in car accident just days before the race and ended up in the hospital. "This is my first race and I get to do it in style by waving the green flag," he said. "I've very much been looking forward to it."
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ALOE BLACC: Aloe Blacc promised and then delivered a more traditional national anthem Sunday, a day after "America's most patriotic rock band" stole the headlines at Daytona. Madison Rising's rendition of the national anthem had a few drivers chuckling and some fans shaking their heads before the Nationwide Series season opener. Their head-scratching version caused driver Brad Keselowski to say, "I wish they would just sing the damn song." Blacc heard about the buzz the performance created and said fans "don't need to worry about that with me. I come from a military family," he said. "My dad is a retired major in the Marine Corps. When it comes to the anthem, you honor the country and you sing it so everybody can sing it with you. You want to make sure everyone can sing along." Blacc performed during the NBA's All-Star game weekend. His profile was boosted when his song, "The Man," was played in commercials during the NFL playoffs. Blacc had no idea it would turn into a postseason anthem. "It was just a song I put together for my album," he said. "I didn't expect it to be a lead single or anything. I got a huge opportunity by Beats by (Dr.) Dre to be in the commercial. That gave it legs we never really expected."
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LUKE BRYAN: Of all the stars attending the Daytona 500, pop-country singer Luke Bryan clearly had the most NASCAR ties. Bryan grew up in southwest Georgia watching NASCAR and cheering for Cale Yarborough. "We grew up loving racing and I've been a part of so many races through the years but this is my first Daytona 500." Bryan performed the pre-race concert in the Daytona infield, singing four songs that included hits "That's My Kind Of Night" and "Crash My Party."
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OLYMPIC STARS: Snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Kaitlyn Farrington and U.S. Paralympic runner Blake Leeper were honorary race officials. Leeper's role called for him to hand the green starting flag to Sinise. "I'm going to jog up the ramp on my blades and walk up to Gary. So we're going to have a guy with no legs handing a flag to a guy who played a guy with no legs. The irony of that is pretty awesome." Leeper was born with both legs missing below the knee and has worn prosthetics since he was 9 months old. He's been running for just over three years and is training for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio in an attempt to become the first double amputee American to compete for the U.S. "I just want to thank (Daytona), the fact they had me, a person with a disability, as an honorary race official is really huge," Leeper said. "I feel like I am the face of the 54 million disabled Americans and hopefully I'll change their lives today by them seeing me out there today, showing anything is possible."
Actor Gary Sinise poses with the winner's trophy for the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway during a news conference in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Singer Aloe Blacc answers a question during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Speedway president Joie Chitwood, left, gives singer Luke Bryan, right, a guitar during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Paralympian Blake Leeper poses for photos during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014.
Leeper will deliver the green flag to start the race. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
LAST YEAR'S EMBARRASSING START OF 2013 DAYTONA 500:
'Drivers...and Danica...Start Your Engines!': James Franco Sparks Sexism Storm as he Starts Daytona 500 with First Woman Ever on Pole Position
- Hollywood actor makes gaffe in his role as Grand Marshall of the Daytona 500
- Historic race begins with Danica Patrick in pole - the first woman to do so
- Twitter lights up to question the published author and poet's choice of words
- Was widely expected he would say 'Lady and gentlemen, start your engines'
- At the end of a thrilling race Jimmie Johnson won his second Daytona 500
- Danica Patrick was third going into the final lap but finished eighth
By Daily Mail UK
Actor James Franco has sparked a sexism controversy today after he tweaked the iconic command to signal the start of Daytona 500 in his role as Grand Marshall.
Instead of
'Gentlemen, Start Your Engines,' often described as the most famous words in sport, the 34-year-old Hollywood star said
'Drivers...and Danica...Start Your Engines!'
Changing his command to accommodate Danica Patrick, the first woman to start from the pole in a Cup race, Franco nevertheless caused Twitter to light up in indignation over his perceived insensitivity.
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James Franco used an unfortunate choice of words to signal the start of the Daytona 500 today in Florida in his role as Grand Marshall
As unpredictable as ever, he passed on a chance to copy the instruction that was used when Patrick raced in the Indianapolis 500, 'Lady and gentlemen, start your engines.'
His critics pointed out that the published author and poet should have seen the distinction he was creating by making an exception of Danica.
His command as Grand Marshall can easily be interpreted as implying that Danica was not a 'driver' like the men who made up the rest of the field.
USA Today's motor racing reporter Nate Ryan was especially critical of Franco's perceived mistake, tweeting, 'That command didn't exactly dovetail with Danica Patrick's long-stated worldview of being a driver/racer first and a woman second.
And photographer Zeb Palmer simply stated on the social networking website, 'OK, the grand marshal is dumb. This is first race?'
Blogger Chris Credendine remarked that, 'I know James Franco didn't mean it, but he definitely butchered the most famous words in #NASCAR with that Danica Patrick comment.'
And viewer Jeanne Rice was the most cutting, tweeting to her followers, 'Wow James. How's that foot taste in your mouth?'
The Oscar-nominated actor was in town to promote his new film, 'Oz, the Great and Powerful' and noted in his pre-race press conference that 'Danica had done something special here, so I might have to switch it up.'
Prompting unfortunate memories of his awkward co-hosting of the 2011 Oscars alongside Anne Hathaway, Franco's gaffe at the race start indicated that perhaps the actor needed a few more rehearsals.
Danica Patrick waves to fans as she walks down pit road before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway
This Daytona 500 viewer took instant exception to James Franco's botched signal to start the race
And following a thrilling race, Jimmie Johnson won his second Daytona 500, racing past defending NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski on the final restart, while Danica Patrick finished eighth.
Johnson wasn't challenged over the final six laps Sunday, adding another 500 title to go with his 2006 victory.
This time crew chief Chad Knaus can enjoy it – he was suspended by NASCAR for the first victory.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a late move to finish second, but didn't challenge his Hendrick Motorsports teammate for the victory. Mark Martin was third.
Patrick was third on the final lap, but faded in the flurry of late action. She became the first woman in history to lead laps in the Daytona 500, though, with her three laps out front.
Before the race all eyes were on Patrick - only the third woman to compete in what is known as 'The Great American Race.
Patrick started the Daytona 500 from pole position and no one doubts she deserves all the attention she is receiving or her credentials to compete with the very best.
Patrick, who ran a partial Sprint Cup program last year, showed she was ready to race full-time in American stock car racing by qualifying with a top speed of 196.434 mph around Daytona International Speedway last Sunday.
Her top speed was the fastest qualifying effort at Daytona since 1990 and inevitably raised talk about her becoming the first woman to win the coveted prize.
Chris Credendino a New York City based blogger made allowances for Franco but still took him to task
Driver: Danica Patrick, center, prepares to get in her car before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race today
Danica Patrick (34) leads during the early laps of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway
Jeff Gordon (24) and Danica Patrick (10) lead during early laps of the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway today
Drivers take the green flag to the start of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race where Danica Patrick set off on pole this afternoon
Trevor Bayne (21), Carl Edwards (99), David Gilliland (38), Terry Labonte (32), David Ragan (34) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (17) collide between Turn 1 and Turn 2 as Jeff Gordon (24) and Marcos Ambrose (9) drive by this afternoon
NASCAR Driver Danica Patrick waits to get in her car during the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 race yesterday in Florida
Jeff Gordon, who will start alongside Patrick on the pole, summed up the feeling after qualifying: "It's great to be a part of history with Danica being on the pole. I think we all know how popular she is, what this will do for our sport."
Patrick, who has astutely marketed herself throughout her career in IndyCar racing and then NASCAR with some lucrative and high-profile endorsement deals, including regular appearances in Super Bowl commercials, is not talking down her chances.
Actor James Franco talks to the media before the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 race where he explained he would make special reference to Danica Patrick's participation in the race
The spectacular crash involving the car of Kyle Larson (32) takes place on the last lap NASCAR Nationwide 300 yesterday which injured almost 30 people
Kyle Larson, driver of the #32 Clorox Chevrolet, and Regan Smith, driver of the #7 Clean Coal Chevrolet spectacularly peel away after yesterday's collision
'When pressure's on, when the spotlight is on, I do feel like it ultimately ends up becoming some of my better moments, better races, better results,' she said earlier this week.
'I'm grateful for it because the opposite of that would be I'm guessing I probably wouldn't be here today, and I wouldn't be in the position I'm in.
'I've been lucky enough to make history, be the first woman to do many things. I really just hope that I don't stop doing that. We have a lot more history to make.'
Also causing controversy and getting himself into awkward situations at the race track today was rapper 50 Cent.
Rapper 50 Cent was given the cold shoulder by Fox News reporter Erin Andrews as he leaned in for an affectionate kiss on the starting grid today at Daytona
Faced with Fox News reporter Erin Andrews on the starting grid, 50 Cent decided too make a very public display of affection.
50 tried to accompany Andrews as she walked pit road, but she was having none of it and turned her cheek when he leaned in for a kiss.
Earlier, 50 had surely raised the blood pressure of NASCAR officials when he arrived at Daytona and tweeted, 'Damn I don't see no black people lol.'
VIDEO Offensive or foolish? Franco starts the 2013 Daytona 500:
***She came 8th out of 43 after starting on pole position for being fastest in qualifying. I'd say that she had more than earned the right to be treated as an equal!!! ***