Trump applauds 'guts' of NASCAR drivers ahead of Daytona 500, sends them special message

President Donald Trump spoke with Jamie Little ahead of the Daytona 500.

NASCAR drivers will hit speeds of nearly 200 mph when the green flag waves for the Daytona 500 on Sunday as the season begins at Daytona International Speedway.

President Donald Trump was on hand for the start of the "Great American Race," leading the drivers on a lap before the race began. It’s the second time he’s attended the event.

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President Donald Trump shakes hands with NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty at the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Ahead of the call for drivers to start their engines, Trump talked to FOX Sports’ Jamie Little and applauded the racers for competing in the event.

"They have a lot of courage doing this. I see it and I’ve been here," the president said. "They have a lot of guts, as they would say."

Trump, who was joined on the track by his granddaughter, highlighted the progress of the United States since he started his second term as president.

"I think it’s fantastic. I think it’s great for the country," he said. "The country is doing well again. We have spirit all over the world. There’s spirit again, we brought it back and it’s been less than four weeks. You’ll see what we do in a little period of time. It’s gonna only get better. But this is very exciting."

Trump had a message for the drivers on their radios before the green flag waved.

President Donald Trump, with granddaughter Carolina, speaks during an interview at the NASCAR Daytona 500, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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