Nate Bargatze Appointed as Grand Marshal for the 2026 Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – On Sunday, comedian and actor Nate Bargatze will step into the spotlight as the grand marshal for the 68th edition of the Daytona 500, according to an announcement by Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday.

Renowned as “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” Bargatze holds a GRAMMY Award and is celebrated as the world’s leading touring comedian for 2024 and 2025. He has also had the honor of hosting Saturday Night Live twice. This spring marks his venture into movies with the family comedy “The Breadwinner,” a project he not only created but also co-wrote, produced, and stars in. Distributed by TriStar Pictures, the film is slated for a theatrical release on May 29.

“The Breadwinner” tells the story of Nate Wilcox, a stay-at-home father who has to navigate domestic life as his wife secures a major deal on “Shark Tank.” The film features a star-studded cast including Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kate Berlant, Kumail Nanjiani, and Will Forte.

“There is nothing quite like the anticipation of the DAYTONA 500 — the roar, the energy, the sense that something special is about to happen,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway, in a news release. “Nate Bargatze’s nationwide popularity, family-friendly humor, and authenticity embody that same spirit with a style that resonates with all. He’ll bring a memorable spark to the command, amplifying the emotion and excitement of one of the biggest moments in motorsports.”

Bargatze’s Netflix special “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” has garnered the title of the most-watched stand-up special on the platform in the past year. His “Big Dumb Eyes World Tour” has set records for the highest gross within a year by a comedian and shattered over 40 attendance records at arenas.

On the day of the race, Bargatze will have the honor of commanding drivers to start their engines. He is also scheduled to engage with fans in a Q&A session at the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone that morning. More details will be shared on the Daytona International Speedway’s website.

For tickets to the Daytona 500, click here.