Donald Trump attending NASCAR’s Daytona 500, second time as US President

In a presidential message released as he flew to Daytona Beach, Florida, Trump said the opening event of the NASCAR series brings together people from all walks of life in a “shared passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the race.”

“From the roar of the engines on the track to the echo of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ soaring through the stands, the Daytona 500 is a timeless tribute to the speed, strength, and unyielding spirit that make America great,” Trump said. “That spirit is what will fuel America’s Golden Age, and if we harness it, the future is truly ours.”

Trump said in his January 20 inaugural address that “the golden age of America begins right now.”

Air Force One left Palm Beach International Airport shortly after noon and the president was traveling to Daytona Beach with several guests, including his son Eric, grandson Luke, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, the White House said. Several members of Congress are also traveling with Trump.