Rain delays, crashes, and a dramatic final lap defined this year’s Daytona 500, creating one of the most chaotic finishes in recent history. However, not all fans were thrilled with the outcome. Adding to the day’s intrigue, Donald Trump attended the event.
After hours of weather-related stoppages and fierce on-track battles, the 2025 Daytona 500 came down to a final-lap shake-up that saw an unexpected driver emerge victorious.
President Donald Trump, making his second Daytona 500 appearance, also addressed the drivers before leading them through ceremonial laps, calling it a unifying event that captures the American spirit.
“This is your favorite president. I’m a big fan. I am a really big fan of you people,” Trump said. “How you do this I don’t know, but I just want you to be safe. You’re talented people and you’re great people and great Americans. Have a good day, have a lot of fun and I’ll see you later,” the president added.
In a statement released while en route to Daytona Beach, he praised the race as a celebration of speed, competition, and patriotism.
“From the roar of the engines on the track to the echo of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ soaring through the stands, the Daytona 500 is a timeless tribute to the speed, strength, and unyielding spirit that make America great,” Trump said.
“That spirit is what will fuel America’s Golden Age, and if we harness it, the future is truly ours,” the president added. Trump traveled to the event aboard Air Force One, departing from Palm Beach International Airport shortly after noon.
His guests included his son, Eric Trump; grandson, Luke Trump; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and his wife, Kathryn Burgum.
Despite his enthusiasm for the event, Trump did not stay for the entire race. As weather delays interrupted the action, he opted to leave, explaining his departure by saying, “A little rain delay, but we’ll go home and watch it, I guess.”
By 5:25 p.m., after Trump had landed back in West Palm Beach, NASCAR officials called for drivers to return to their cars in an attempt to restart the race.
The 2025 Daytona 500 had everything — weather delays, intense racing, and a dramatic last-lap shake-up that determined the winner. While some fans celebrated the unpredictable finish, others were left frustrated by the series of wrecks that shaped the outcome.
Donald Trump’s brief appearance added another layer of spectacle to an already eventful day, but in the end, the focus remained on the chaos that unfolded on the track.