Stars come out for NASCAR fun
When Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron heard she was named honorary starter for the 60th annual Daytona 500, she thought the committee made some kind of mistake.
Still, once she arrived, there was no way she was leaving the star-studded event.
“Even if they made a mistake, I’m not leaving,” she said before the start of the race with a wide smile.
She added, “I don’t really know the intricate details of NASCAR, but I really love the sport of car racing. I grew up with a family that really loved the sport. I’m very excited to be here today and to learn more. I cannot wait for those cars to take off.”
Theron was one of a number of high-profile celebrities who came out for the race on a clear – if a little warm – Sunday afternoon. Austin Dillon won an aggressive race, which saw a 10-car wreck with two laps to go.
Sports stars like Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who was there supporting girlfriend Danica Patrick – and twotime Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning could be found wandering around before the event got started.
During the pre-race drivers meeting, other athletes, including Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt, UFC champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Orlando Magic assistant coach Corliss Williamson, former pro baseball player Dante Bichette and NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green, were acknowledged.
Manning, who was the honorary pace car driver, spent a while signing autographs, smiling as fan after fan called his now-famous pre-snap “Omaha!” in his direction.
Hollywood stars like Olivia Holt (Freeform’s “Cloak and Dagger”), Ian Somerhalder (CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Christian Isaiah (Showtime’s “Shameless”) were also in attendance.
Theron spent some time with members of the media before the race, promoting her upcoming movie “Gringo,” which she’s starring in and producing.
“It’s a really fun movie, which I think we need more of,” she said.
Theron was last in Daytona while filming for her Oscar-winning role in the movie “Monster.” Also, when she was 19, she came to Daytona for some skydiving after “a night of drinking.”
Country music group Rascal Flatts performed the pre-race show.
“They call this the ‘Super Bowl of racing,’ ” said guitarist Joe Don Rooney. “For us, as artists, I think one of the coolest things we get to do is play gigs like this. The heart and soul of America’s going to be here. Who doesn’t love NASCAR? Fast cars and freedom, that’s what Rascal Flatts is all about.”
Theron said she’s appreciated cars since she was a child. She used to race gokarts her father built – she was quick to mention she frequently beat the boys she went up against.
“My family were real fans of car racing,” she said. “My father loved it. My father built a lot of cars. I was raised on a farm where there were always a lot of engines lying around. You realize you come from that family when at 8 you know what a spark plug does and your friends don’t.”
She also mentioned her time training for the movie “The Italian Job” – she joked Mark Wahlberg threw up while going through the driving training.
“He’s going to kill me,” she said while laughing.