Getty Images Miami-based DJ Khaled (center) will wave the green flag at the 2024 Daytona 500.
It’s a new year and new era for NASCAR, and the new Cup series starts with the opening points race, the Great American Race — the Daytona 500 — on February 18. In a move only slightly surprising, DJ Khaled, a Grammy-winning rap artist, will get to wave the green flag.
DJ Khaled, whose real name is Khaled Mohammed Khaled, will serve a dual role at the 2024 Daytona 500.
He will also be the public face of Wendy’s new “Biggie Bag” campaign, which the fast food chain is launching at the race. Wendy’s was eager (in a biggie way) to get back into NASCAR after cutting its marketing in 2023 when its affiliation with driver Noah Gragson was marred by controversy, according to Forbes’ Greg Engle.
“I’ve always respected the Biggie lifestyle at Wendy’s and being chosen as this year’s honorary starter lets me turn that dream into reality,” DJ Khaled said in the official Daytona 500 announcement. “Going Biggie means going all out in everything, every day and challenging expectations at every turn. And being this year’s honorary starter is yet another way for me to do just that! I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans at the track and in the infield at the Wendy’s activation. You won’t want to miss it!”
We got the best! @djkhaled will serve as the Honorary Starter for the 2024 #DAYTONA500!
DJ Khaled Loves Sports & Miami
Though some NASCAR fans may not know DJ Khaled’s music, he is a familiar presence at numerous big sporting events, especially in his adopted hometown of Miami. Khaled appears at Miami Heat games and Inter Miami soccer games, and he was seen welcoming fellow celebrities and drivers at last year’s F1 Miami Grand Prix.
DJ Khaled on IG: “Bless up the 🐐 @ lewishamilton @ f1 #WETHEBEST”
DJ Khaled’s Instagram feed often includes numerous behind-the-scenes images from various sporting events. Khaled’s not limited to just sporting events, of course. He is also a familiar sight at the Grammys and MTV’s Music Video Awards. Over the course of his career, DJ Khaled has worked with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg and numerous other rap artists. He won the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance in 2020 for “Higher.”
NASCAR, Daytona & Wendy’s
In its official announcement, the Daytona International Speedway stated that DJ Khaled “will be reminding fans to Go Biggie.” With Wendy’s, of course.
Wendy’s is ramping up its NASCAR sponsor efforts this year. For this year’s Daytona 500, their sponsorship will include an infield Wendy’s drive-thru, plus additional promotions (and free merchandise) encouraging fans to eat Wendy’s food. Khaled’s size, big media presence, influencer cred and his frequent appearances at Miami sporting events — only four hours from Daytona — all align for the “Go Biggie” campaign.
Exclusive: DJ Khaled to Be Honorary Starter for #DAYTONA500, Teams With Wendy’s for Mini-Golf Event
In a clever tie-in, fans watching at home will be offered a free Wendy’s Double Stack (with minimum $20 purchase), when using Uber Eats to have their fast food delivered. No need to pause the race.
Frank Kelleher, Daytona Speedway president, stated “we always love welcoming back our friends from Wendy’s, and introducing DJ Khaled into the mix as our honorary starter just amplifies an already spectacular list of pre-race dignitaries.”
Other celebrities set to appear at Sunday’s star-studded Daytona 500 event include recording artist Pitbull, who will perform a pre-race show, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who will serve as grand marshal.