Celebrity grand marshals have long amplified the pre-race buzz, with entertainment icons delivering the command to start engines. WWE stars, in particular, have made memorable appearances, like Hulk Hogan, who served as the grand marshal of Daytona International Speedway in 2004 and another at Dover Motor Speedway in 2006, blending wrestling’s flair with racing’s adrenaline.

This year, the lineup includes country singer Gretchen Wilson for a pre-race concert and LSU basketball standout Flau’jae Johnson as honorary starter, setting the stage for an unforgettable night on August 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET. But the most anticipated one of all was the Grand Marshal mantle taken by Rey Mysterio for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this weekend. However, as per the latest update, Mysterio won’t be showing up, and fans will have to wait a bit longer.

Another wrestler takes Mysterio’s place at Daytona

Daytona International Speedway‘s official X post on August 22 announced that Kevin Owens will be filling up for Mysterio in the grand marshal role, stating, “UPDATE: Stepping in for Rey Mysterio, we’re excited to welcome @FightOwensFight as the Grand Marshal for tomorrow night’s #CokeZeroSugar400!” The post, which included a promotional image, highlighted the collaboration with WWE and Coca-Cola Racing, garnering quick reactions from fans speculating on the change.

UPDATE: Stepping in for Rey Mysterio, we’re excited to welcome @FightOwensFight as the Grand Marshal for tomorrow night’s #CokeZeroSugar400!@WWE | @CocaColaRacing pic.twitter.com/FxHEvF0h6I

— Daytona International Speedway (@DAYTONA) August 22, 2025

Rey Mysterio, the 50-year-old WWE Hall of Famer, famed for his aerial maneuvers and championships since joining in 2002, was initially set to give the “Drivers, start your engines” call. However, he pulled out hours before the event, with no official reason provided so far, though it coincides with his recovery from groin surgery in April 2025 after a torn groin sidelined him pre-WrestleMania 41.

However, Kevin Owens, the 41-year-old Canadian wrestler with nine titles under his belt, takes over amid his own return from a neck injury earlier this year. This swap keeps the WWE energy alive, ensuring the race starts with high-octane hype from the wrestling world as drivers chase playoff berths.

The adjustment underscores the unpredictability of live events, much like the chaos on Daytona’s track. With Johnson waving the green flag, the night promises thrills for fans of speed and spectacle alike.

Owens, who actually calls Daytona home, brings a local touch to the role, making the switch feel a bit like fate for Florida fans. He’s been out of the ring since March, recovering from neck surgery just last month, so stepping up here shows his commitment to WWE’s partnerships even while healing up. Mysterio, meanwhile, made a recent non-wrestling appearance at Lucha Libre AAA’s Triplemania to induct Konnan into their Hall of Fame, hinting his comeback might be close if everything aligns.

This kind of last-second pivot reminds everyone how injuries can shake up plans, but it also spotlights the resilience in both the wrestling and racing worlds. As Owens gears up to deliver that famous command, the focus shifts to the track, where similar unpredictability could decide who’s in the playoffs and who’s watching from home.

Playoff drama unfolds at Daytona

Two spots remain open in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs as the Coke Zero Sugar 400 kicks off. Tyler Reddick clings to a 29-point lead over Alex Bowman for one position. Bowman holds a 60-point edge over Ryan Preece. A new winner could snatch a spot, shaking things up. Reddick’s average finish at Daytona is 23rd, his weakest of all active tracks.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has all four career wins on drafting tracks like this one. He took the 2023 Daytona 500 but hasn’t cracked the top 18 in his last four starts here. Chris Buescher boasts three top 10s, including a win, in his last six Daytona races. Kyle Busch, runner-up here last August, desperately needs a win here and said, “I think it’s always high anyways. Through the field, every position doesn’t really matter, you know; they’ll crash for 10th place for a finish. Just deal with what you can, and hopefully you’ve got a fast enough race car to be in front of the field and drive away.”

Only twice in this playoff format has a driver below the cutline won the finale to advance. Austin Dillon at Daytona in 2022 and Chase Briscoe at Darlington last year. Erik Jones, needing a win, said, “I think there’s honestly a lot of optimism for (Daytona). Our year could change very quickly. There’s no reason why we couldn’t win here.” Alex Bowman admitted, “I am incredibly stressed out… I think for me, walking out of there Saturday night, as long as we maximized what we could… I’m sure we’ll have a shot at it.”

In the end, one thing’s for sure — Daytona promises chaos, and with playoff hopes on the line, survival may matter just as much as speed.