The Honorary Grand Marshal of the Daytona 500 DJ Khaled Unravels the Similarities Between Entertainers and Athletes

Published 02/19/2024, 10:38 AM HKT

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USA Today via Reuters

The speeds at which NASCAR drivers race underline why it’s often dubbed one of the most dangerous sports out there. With cars practically flying in the air during the wrecks, performing aerial somersaults before thudding back to the track, it’s obvious these drivers command deep-seated respect for their daredevilry. Not only is this fearless spirit a common thread among athletes across the board, be it on the football field, basketball court, or any arena, but the drive and thirst for victory also remain universal.

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DJ Khaled, set to wave the green flag as the grand marshal at the Daytona 500, recently echoed this very sentiment, broadening the scope to include a variety of professions, all united by the grind and the pursuit of success.

Winning is all that people think about- DJ Khaled

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Modern race cars can hit speeds over 200 mph, with the record standing at a hair-raising 244.9 mph. That’s no walk in the park. Fans might argue NASCAR’s treacherous edge, yet since the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt in 2001, the track has seen no such sorrow, thanks to a slew of safety upgrades.

Switch gears to the NFL, and you’ll find it’s not without its dangers either. Not too long ago, the league was on the hook for a whopping $765 million, settling with players over concussion disputes. Just in 2022, two players suffered grave injuries that could have been game-enders.

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Meanwhile, musicians and entertainers might not dodge physical tackles or face high-speed risks, but they’re in the same boat when it comes to the end game – securing that win. For them, it’s about nailing that performance, belting out the perfect tune, and capturing the audience’s adoration, much like athletes aiming to dominate the game and win over fans.

DJ Khaled, diving into this universal drive, shared, “The mindset of a winner is all in us. You have a saying and… you know when you watch your favorite race car driver or favorite basketball player like MJ or your favorite actor or your mother, father or it could be a doctor or it could be a musician, your favorites, right? I think we have all the mindset of winning. And that’s what it’s about- Winning. And when I say winning. Happiness joy Family. That’s true success.”

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However, for now, geared up to kickstart the engines at Daytona, DJ Khaled’s moment to shine has been delayed to Monday, following the Xfinity race, thanks to the whims of weather.

DJ Khaled and NASCAR enthusiasts will need to hang tight until Monday for the action

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The buzz around the Daytona 500 taking a rain check turned out to be spot on, as Mother Nature decided to play spoilsport, drenching Central Florida with a relentless downpour starting Saturday, dashing the hopes of race fans. Insiders close to the track confirmed that the “Great American Race,” initially slated for a Sunday 3 pm ET start, has been nudged to the next day, throwing a wrench in the works for the entire event schedule.

Rewinding to the last time the Daytona 500 saw a day’s delay brings us back to 2012. The 2020 race also had a rain hiccup, managing 20 laps before being put on pause, only to pick up the next day. This time around, NASCAR made the call early on Sunday, sparing fans the agony of a wet wait, wondering if the race would get the green light.

NASCAR News: The Daytona 500 Has Been Postponed to Monday; Xfinity Race Also Rescheduled

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Despite the shift in plans, the pre-race festivities went on, with star-studded appearances from Pitbull, the singer turned Trackhouse Racing co-owner, and Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson lighting up the venue.

However, Pitbull’s pre-race performance was axed from the lineup. Not one to let the fans down, he’s already promised to make a comeback next year for a raincheck performance.

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Written by:

Neha Dwivedi

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Neha Dwivedi is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. As a journalist, she religiously believes in the power of research, which allows her readers to dive deep into her stories and experience the detailed nuances of the sport like never before. Being proficient with Core Sport and Live Event Coverage, she has written multiple copies on the top entities of Stock Car Racing, like Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Tony Stewart.
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Edited by:

Aazima Basharat

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