Pres. Trump's appearance at Daytona International Speedway caused headaches for fans trying to enter the famed NASCAR track.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., right, goes through a security checkpoint before the drivers meeting for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Extra security measures were taken at the speedway because of the visit of President Donald Trump.
He also took a parade lap around the 2 1/2-mile speedway in his limousine, leading the 40-car field before the green flag. The presidential motorcade remained on the apron in the corners instead of taking to the high-banked turns. Stenhouse will lead the field to green in the No. 47 Chevrolet. He told NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton he hoped for a picture-perfect start: Stenhouse wanted to lead the race as Air Force One takes off for the presidential photo opp.
He ended his remarks to chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A,” and to his 2016 campaign tune, “You can't always get what you want." For all the pomp, Trump's arrival caused more jams around Daytona than a multi-car pileup on the frontstretch. Driver appearances were canceled or shuffled around to other areas on track property. The red carpet was rolled out for Trump and so was the green flag -- the start of the race was pushed back 13 minutes to accommodate his pace lap in the armored presidential limo called"The Beast.
The good times were dampened, though, near several gates as thousands of fans waited hours to get inside. The popular fan zone -- where fans can chug beers, listen to live music and purchase race merchandise — had waits of up to three hours to enter.
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