WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio will join forces with NCAA Women’s Basketball National Champion and musician Flau’jae Johnson as honorary starters for the upcoming NASCAR Coke Zero Sugar 400 race at Daytona International Speedway. The event is scheduled for August 22-23, 2025, and this collaboration highlights the energy and passion these stars bring to the motorsports stage.
Daytona International Speedway Announces High-Profile Grand Marshal and Flag Waver
Daytona International Speedway revealed that Rey Mysterio has been appointed grand marshal for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, while Flau’jae Johnson will wave the green flag to officially start the NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale. This pairing represents a fusion of sports and entertainment at one of motorsports’ most iconic venues.
“We are honored to have the great WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Rey Mysterio and the multi-talented NCAA Women’s Basketball National Champion and musician Flau’jae Johnson serve as our grand marshal and honorary starter for the Coke Zero Sugar 400,”
said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway.
“Rey is sure to bring his high-flying energy giving the command to start engines while Flau’jae waves the green flag with passion under the lights. Their star power will set the stage for an unforgettable night at The World Center of Racing.”
Rey Mysterio’s Legendary Career and Connection to NASCAR Event
Rey Mysterio is celebrated as one of the most influential WWE Superstars, with a career spanning several decades and earning many championships, including the WWE Championship and multiple World Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles. Beginning his wrestling journey at just 14 years old, Mysterio rose to fame in World Championship Wrestling during the 1990s, where he played a pivotal role in popularizing lucha libre wrestling in the United States, elevating cruiserweight divisions nationwide.
“The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at DAYTONA is one of the most thrilling races in motorsports, and I’m honored to be grand marshal,”
Mysterio said.
“The energy at the track, the passion of the fans, and the legacy of DAYTONA make this race weekend absolutely electric—standing trackside in the heart of the action is an experience of a lifetime.”
Flau’jae Johnson’s Athletic and Musical Achievements
Flau’jae Johnson, representing LSU Tigers Women’s Basketball, has established herself as an exceptional athlete and musician. In high school at Sprayberry in Marietta, Georgia, she became the all-time leading scorer and earned Region 6-6A Player of the Year honors. Johnson also achieved MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic with a 27-point game and participated in the McDonald’s All-American Game, becoming the first female player to take part in the Iverson Classic. Her high school retired her jersey, marking a historic first for a female athlete at her school.
As a college player, Johnson has continued to earn accolades, including SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023 and multiple All-SEC team selections, aiding her team to a national championship victory. This summer, she contributed to Team USA’s gold medal win at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
“Getting to wave the green flag at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is such an honor,”
Johnson shared.
“I’m hyped to be part of something this legendary and bring my energy to the track. This is going to be a moment to remember!”
Off the court, Johnson pursues a music career under Roc Nation, inspired by her late father’s legacy. She has released three albums—4 My Fans, Best of Both Worlds, and Flau & B—and amassed over four million followers across platforms. Her dual impact in sports and music earned her recognition on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024 and Billboard’s Sports & Music Power Players list as a crossover influencer.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 Weekend and Race Highlights
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend will pack the Daytona International Speedway with intense superspeedway racing. On August 22, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will race in the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, showcasing emerging talents on the high banks of Daytona.
The main event, the NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale on August 23, will feature drivers battling for the last playoff spots. Rey Mysterio and Flau’jae Johnson’s roles as grand marshal and honorary starter add an exciting dimension to this climactic race weekend.
Fans attending the event can also access special packages that include reserved seating, entry to the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone, and pre-race access to Gretchen Wilson’s concert, creating a full day of entertainment at the World Center of Racing.
About Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR’s Role in Motorsports
Daytona International Speedway is a premier motorsports facility located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Renowned for hosting The Great American Race, the Daytona 500, the speedway was honored with the SportsBusiness Journal’s Sports Facility of the Year award in 2016. The 500-acre complex offers some of the most diverse racing schedules globally, including iconic events such as the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, Bike Week at DAYTONA Presented By GEICO, and the annual Coke Zero Sugar 400.
Beyond racing, the venue supports a variety of events like concerts, sporting festivals, and social gatherings, with frequent use for car shows, testing, and training activities.
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), headquartered in Daytona Beach, governs the largest motorsports sanctioning body in the United States. NASCAR oversees various national, international, regional, and grassroots racing series, making it the cornerstone of stock car racing with more than 1,200 annual events in multiple countries and U.S. states.
