Kate Upton is Grand Marshal at Daytona 500 and Expected to Play a Stooge
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover model Kate Upton has been the named the Grand Marshall of the Daytona 500, but for this show fans may be expecting more of a stooge than a model.
The up and coming model will call "Drivers, start your engines" with actress Jane Lynch. The two are also both co-stars in the most recent remake of "The Three Stooges" which will debut in April.
The race will be held at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is considered one of the most important NASCAR races. Upton, who is a Florida native, answered questions Sunday in a pre-race press conference.
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During the conference Upton admitted that she wasn't the most familiar with fast cars. "I only go five miles an hour over the speed limit. Probably 80 [is the fastest'. It's faster here in Florida. They let us drive faster. No snow," Upton commented.
She then talked more about growing up in Florida. "I lived ten minutes from the beach and I had a barn in my backyard and I used to show horses," Upton said. "So I used to spend a lot of time back there and on the beach."
The race, which was expected to begin at 1:30 pm EST, has been delayed due to a pending storm threat. Weather reports suggest that there is still light rain in the area. Since it will take a few hours for the track to be prepared after the rain stops, the race may not begin until late tonight.
Although Upton may be better know for her recent cover in Sports Illustrated, she will be considered a stooge at Sunday's race. "We look forward to Jane and Kate's participation in the pre-race ceremonies, adding to the star power of NASCAR's biggest and richest race of the year," Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III told Fox Sports in the beginning of February.
"Also, the thousands of race fans in attendance and the millions more watching on FOX Sports are eagerly waiting to experience 'Stoogemania,' when The Three Stooges deliver the green flag."
SEE VIDEO OF KATE UPTON AND JANE LYNCH INTERVIEW AT DAYTONA 500 PRE-SHOW
