Actor Owen Wilson named grand marshal for 2017 Daytona 500

Daytona International Speedway again is turning to an actor with comedic chops to serve as grand marshal for NASCAR’s crown jewel.

Owen Wilson has been named the grand marshal for the 59th running of the Daytona 500.

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Wilson is no stranger to auto racing, having voiced the animated character Lightning McQueen in the Cars movie series. Cars 3 is set for release this summer. He is well known for his roles in comedies, including Wedding Crashers, Zoolander and The Royal Tenenbaums.

He will give the command for the drivers to start their engines after taking part in pre-race activities that will include riding in one of the pace cars. He joins other actors who have filled the role recently, including Gerard Butler, Vince Vaughn, John Travolta, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage and Matthew McConaughey.

The Daytona 500, which kicks off the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ slate of 36 points races, is scheduled for Feb. 26 (2 p.m. ET, Fox).

PHOTOS: 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule