Could it be a punishment, or did NASCAR really send out an invite to a member of the Impractical Jokers? That’s right! One of the pranksters from the Impractical Jokers is set to deliver the iconic “start your engines“ command at an upcoming race. It looks like they’re ready to bring their comedic flair right to the starting line. But, could this be just another one of their infamous tasks? Maybe even a punishment for losing too many pranks? We’re not the only ones pondering—fans are buzzing with speculation that this might all be part of a big prank.

Not just racing, but also some fun at Sonoma!

The Sonoma Raceway event, set for June 9, 2024, isn’t just a highlight because it’s California’s sole points race this season or one of the few road courses. As per Bob Pockrass’ latest X update, it’s also getting a dose of humor from none other than comedian and TV star James “Murr” Murray.

Murr, known for his role in the comedy trio Impractical Jokers alongside Brian “Q” Quinn and Sal Vulcano, will be commanding the drivers with the iconic “Drivers, Start Your Engines!” His knack for comedy and charm is sure to add a fun twist to the start of the race. Plus, he’s there to drum up excitement for the return of Impractical Jokers on TBS, promising new episodes and more hilarious antics. Fans at the track and at home are in for a treat as Murr brings his comedic A-game to the pit road.

Brian Flynn, the boss at Sonoma Raceway, is all in on having  Murray stir up some fun as the Grand Marshal for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. He said, “Murr bringing his exuberant style to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 as Grand Marshal is a great fit for our race. Fans can expect the unexpected from both the racing and Murr himself, adding to the thrilling atmosphere of our race day experience.”

However, NASCAR’s no stranger to mixing it up with comedians as Grand Marshals. Before Murr got the nod, Gabriel Iglesias brought the laughs at the NASCAR Mexico Series in LA Coliseum this year. And just last year, Sonoma Raceway shook things up by bringing in Adam Devine. It looks like Sonoma’s really into keeping everyone from drivers to fans in high spirits each season.

But let’s spill some tea about Impractical Jokers. On the show, the Joker who loses the most ends up facing some wild punishment, something right up the alley of being a Grand Marshal! That’s why fans are buzzing, wondering if this gig is the real deal or just another classic Joker setup. But deep down, don’t we all hope it’s a bit of both, keeping us on our toes and part of the joke?

NASCAR fans are buzzing with excitement and a bit of skepticism

In an expected manner, when the news started making rounds on social media, the comments section lit up like a Christmas tree. Fans are playfully speculating the reason behind the cameo, with one speculating, “This is 100% a punishment and is probably gonna be hilarious“, while another online user was more about being sure before making a guess. “This for real or a punishment?”, they questioned. 

It’s hard for fans to wrap their heads around this because, on their show, the Joker who loses gets hilariously awkward punishments. Up to 2023, Sal was the most frequently punished Joker, with 69 losses, followed by Murr at 65, Q at 51, and Joe at 43. Neither Sal nor Murr had ever had a solo win, and there hadn’t been a dual punishment for Q and Murr either.

That is why, fans have been talking about the potential embarrassing scenarios for Murr at the race dictated by Q and Sal, like ““Alright Murr, your punishment is, before the call, tell the crowd you wish you were at an F1 event instead”” and “Really hope this has to do with a punishment. Like a really horrible outfit.“ Others chimed in with cheeky predictions like, “Ok Murr, now tell everyone the race is canceled” and “Alright Murr, now tell the drivers to hit the pace car.”

Amidst the playful guesses, one fan summed it up: “Impractical jokers episode at a NASCAR race🤣🤣🤣.“ Meanwhile, others remained incredulous, posting, “NO WAY please tell me it’s a punishment 😂”. Another fan said, “This has gotta be a punishment. What’s the catch?” “Definitely a punishment… no way it’s not a punishment 💀.“Clearly, whether it’s a genuine role or a classic Joker setup, Murr’s involvement is set to make some comic waves at the NASCAR event.