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Lydia Mee is a contributing sports writer located in the West Midlands, England. Her focus is on F1 and NASCAR. She has in-depth knowledge of Motorsport as a whole. Lydia joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written Motorsport content for Sports Illustrated. You can get in touch with Lydia by emailing, l.mee@newsweek.com. You can find her at X @LMeeMotorsport.
Sports Contributing Writer
The legendary Billy F Gibbons, famed lead singer and guitarist of ZZ Top, has been appointed as the grand marshal for the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Being the grand marshal grants Gibbons the unique honor of kickstarting the race with the storied words, “Drivers, start your engines.”
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Atlanta Motor Speedway shared the news to social media, writing:
Logan Riely/Getty Images
“Drivers start YOUR ENGINES! Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top lead singer and guitarist, will give the command before the #Ambetter400!”
Billy F Gibbons is an influential figure in the world of music, known for his central role in ZZ Top. The band, beloved for hits such as “La Grange,” “Tush,” “Give Me All Your Loving,” and “Sharp Dressed Man,” has left an indelible mark on rock music. Gibbons, with the band and his solo endeavors, has sold over 50 million albums globally.
Fans have already been sharing their excitement for Gibbons’s upcoming appearance. One fan commented:
“Billy better be driving the pace car too!!!”
Another fan posted with their approval:
“Now that’s a Grand Marshall.”
“THERE YOU GO! NASCAR returns to its senses. Billy was walking around in AUS Airport last I was there, just as friendly as anyone could be, folks loving him.”
THERE YOU GO! NASCAR returns to its senses. Billy was walking around in AUS Airport last I was there, just as friendly as anyone could be, folks loving him.
— geek49203 (@geek49203) February 10, 2025
The race in Atlanta is set to take place on February 23 following the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway this coming weekend.
For the latest NASCAR news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
Regular Season
- Feb. 2: Winston-Salem (Clash) – 8 p.m., FOX
- Feb. 16: Daytona 500 – 2:30 p.m., FOX
- Feb. 23: Atlanta – 3 p.m., FOX
- Mar. 2: Austin – 3:30 p.m., FOX
- Mar. 9: Phoenix – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 16: Las Vegas – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 23: Homestead – 3 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 30: Martinsville – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 6: Darlington – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 13: Bristol – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 20: Off (Easter)
- Apr. 27: Talladega – 3 p.m., FOX
- May 4: Texas – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- May 11: Kansas – 3 p.m., FS1
- May 18: North Wilkesboro (All-Star) – 8 p.m., FS1
- May 25: Charlotte – 6 p.m., Prime Video
- June 1: Nashville – 7 p.m., Prime Video
- June 8: Michigan – 2 p.m., Prime Video
- June 15: Mexico City – 3 p.m., Prime Video
- June 22: Pocono – 2 p.m., Prime Video
- June 28: Atlanta – 7 p.m., TNT
- July 6: Chicago street course – 2 p.m., TNT
- July 13: Sonoma – 3:30 p.m., TNT
- July 20: Dover – 2 p.m., TNT
- July 27: Indianapolis – 2 p.m., TNT
- Aug. 3: Iowa – 3:30 p.m., USA
- Aug. 10: Watkins Glen – 2 p.m., USA
- Aug. 16: Richmond – 7:30 p.m., USA
- Aug. 23: Daytona – 7:30 p.m., NBC
Playoffs
- Aug. 31: Darlington – 6 p.m., USA
- Sept. 7: St. Louis – 3 p.m., USA
- Sept. 13: Bristol – 7:30 p.m., USA
- Sept. 21: New Hampshire – 2 p.m., USA
- Sept. 28: Kansas – 3 p.m., USA
- Oct. 5: Charlotte road course – 3 p.m., USA
- Oct. 12: Las Vegas – 5:30 p.m., USA
- Oct. 19: Talladega – 2 p.m., NBC
- Oct. 26: Martinsville – 2 p.m., NBC
- Nov. 2: Phoenix – 3 p.m., NBC
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About the writer
Lydia Mee is a contributing sports writer located in the West Midlands, England. Her focus is on F1 and NASCAR. She has in-depth knowledge of Motorsport as a whole. Lydia joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written Motorsport content for Sports Illustrated. You can get in touch with Lydia by emailing, l.mee@newsweek.com. You can find her at X @LMeeMotorsport.
Lydia Mee is a contributing sports writer located in the West Midlands, England. Her focus is on F1 and NASCAR. …
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