Award-winning film and television producer to give command to fire engines for
twice-around-the-clock sports car spectacle
DAYTONA BEAH, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2024) – Cameras will be rolling as famed film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer will deliver the most famous words in motorsports to kick off the 62nd running of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, as Daytona International Speedway today announced the grand marshal for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener.
This isn’t Bruckheimer’s first visit to The World Center of Racing, as he filmed portions of the 1990 movie “Days of Thunder” at the track during that year’s DAYTONA 500.
Bruckheimer’s film catalog ranges from titles such as “Con Air,” “Black Hawk Down,” and “Armageddon,” in addition to the “Top Gun,” “National Treasure,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Bad Boys” franchises. On the small screen, he won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards for “The Amazing Race,” and produced series such as “CSI: Miami,” “Without a Trace,” and “Cold Case.”
“Jerry Bruckheimer has produced some of the most entertaining and action-packed movies and shows of the past several decades,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Whether he featured fast cars, high-flying jets, or frantic foot races, his work reflects the energy we’ll see in the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, making him the perfect grand marshal for this year’s race.”
Bruckheimer’s latest project is an as-yet untitled Formula One racing feature for Apple Original Films from director Joseph Kosinski, Plan B Entertainment, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, seven-time Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films banner, and starring Brad Pitt.
“Daytona International Speedway is an iconic venue and it’s going to be an honor to give the command for the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA,” said Bruckheimer. “I’ve been here for the biggest NASCAR race and now I can’t wait to experience one of the most prestigious sports car races in the world.”
On-track activity for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opener begins Jan. 19-21 with the ROAR Before the Rolex 24 – the nail-biting test session that gets drivers, teams and fans ready for the races less than one week later.
Then, the racing action returns with competition starting on Thursday, Jan. 25 and continuing through the wave of the checkered flag on Sunday, Jan. 28. The 62nd running of the twice-around-the-clock Rolex 24 At DAYTONA takes the green flag at 1:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Fans can purchase their tickets to the 2024 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. Purchase of tickets to the Rolex 24 also includes admission to the ROAR Before the Rolex 24 as well.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By Monster Energy, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
