The Daytona 500 delivered high-octane action and drama on Sunday as former U.S. President Donald Trump made a grand appearance, thrilling NASCAR fans before a horrifying crash overshadowed the spectacle. Ryan Preece’s car went airborne, flipping multiple times in a terrifying wreck that left the crowd in stunned silence.
Trump’s arrival was met with a roaring ovation as Air Force One performed a dramatic flyover, setting the stage for his motorcade’s lap around the 2.5-mile track in ‘The Beast.’ The former President, who has made a habit of attending major sporting events in recent weeks, addressed the drivers over the radio.
"This is your favorite President. I'm a big fan, a really big fan of you people. How you do this, I don't know. But I just want you to be safe. You are talented people and you are great people and great Americans," he said.
President @realDonaldTrump addresses the drivers before the 2025 Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/DP9hXWjDpm
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2025
The atmosphere took a grim turn late in the race when Christopher Bell crashed into the wall, causing chaos in the pack and launching Preece’s car into the air. The horrifying moment saw his vehicle flip upside down before slamming onto the track. Sparks and debris flew as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Remarkably, Preece emerged from the wreck, dropping his safety net to signal he was okay.
"When the car took off like that and it got real quiet, all I thought about was my daughter," he later said. "So I'm lucky to walk away, but we're getting really close to somebody not being able to. So I'm very grateful."
Christopher Bell goes into the wall. Ryan Preece flips. Wow. pic.twitter.com/T89oxCUJQz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 17, 2025
This was not the first time Preece experienced a high-speed crash at Daytona. In August 2023, he miraculously survived a wreck that saw his car flip ten times during the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Sunday’s crash renewed discussions about NASCAR’s evolving safety measures and the increasing risks drivers face.
Despite the shocking incident, William Byron secured his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory, surviving a chaotic race filled with multiple wrecks and two weather delays totaling nearly four hours. The 27-year-old driver became the first back-to-back winner since Denny Hamlin achieved the feat in 2019-2020.
Meanwhile, Trump’s presence at the event drew mixed reactions. While many NASCAR fans cheered his appearance, others voiced concerns over the heavy media focus on him rather than the race. One viewer on X wrote, "Fox, you've got liberal fans of NASCAR. Can we treat Donald Trump like Taylor Swift and show him sparingly?" Another added, "I’m watching the 500 to see a race, not a Trump rally."
Trump, undeterred by criticism, continued engaging with fans, meeting NASCAR legend Richard Petty and shaking hands with multiple drivers. His Daytona 500 visit followed last week’s history-making Super Bowl appearance, making him the first sitting or former President to attend both iconic sporting events in consecutive weekends.
As the dust settles from an unforgettable Daytona 500, NASCAR fans are left with a mix of emotions—excitement over Trump’s electrifying presence, awe at Byron’s back-to-back win, and concern over the dangers that nearly turned Ryan Preece’s crash into a tragedy.
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