Commander Charles Levinge (Grand Marshal); Brigadier General Kris Marshall (Honorary Pace Car Driver); Cox Automotive Executive Ken Kraft (Honorary Starter); Tenor Timothy Miller (National Anthem Singer); 189th Airlift Wing (Flyover); Musician Drake Milligan (Pre-race entertainment); Outdoor Enthusiast Michael Waddell (Honorary Race Official)
As NASCAR visits Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway for its second race of the 2026 season, several special guests and dignitaries have roles to play leading up to the start of Sunday’s Autotrader 400.
Here’s the dignitaries and notable guests for the Autotrader 400:
Last fall, we met Captain Claude Levinge — U.S. Navy veteran (1942–1970) and 1954 “Top Gun.” A true patriot and lifelong race fan, we were proud to name him an honorary official for the Autotrader 400.
— EchoPark Speedway (@EchoParkSpdwy) February 18, 2026
Though he passed away in November at 103, his story isn’t finished.
This… pic.twitter.com/nxlmDFfumo
Grand Marshal: On behalf of his father, the late Captain Claude Levinge, and to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, retired naval flight officer and aerospace engineer Commander Charles Levinge will say the most famous words in motorsports.
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| Brigadier General Kris Marshall |
Honorary Pace Car Driver: Leading the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag from behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang on Sunday will be Brigadier General Kris Marshall, United States Army National Guard.
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| Cox Automotive Executive Ken Kraft |
Honorary Starter: Cox Automotive Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Ken Kraft will wave the green flag to begin the Autotrader 400 on Sunday.
Incredible performance from Timothy Miller 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qAEodwGVXT
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 16, 2025
National Anthem Singer: Atlanta’s Operatic Tenor Timothy Miller will perform the Star Spangled Banner during Autotrader 400 pre-race ceremonies Sunday.
Flyover: Punctuating Miller’s performance of the national anthem with a flyover is a C-130 from the 189th Airlift Wing based at Little Rock Air Force Base.
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| Musician Drake Milligan |
Pre-race entertainment: Country musician Drake Milligan will get fans revved up for the Autotrader 400 with a pre-race concert Sunday at 1 p.m. New for the Autotrader 400, Milligan’s pre-race concert will be held at the Speedway Experience with Cracker Barrel with free stage-front access for all fans attending the race.
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| Michael Waddell “Bone Collector” |
Honorary Race Official: Attending the Autotrader 400 as an honorary race official is Michael Waddell, outdoor enthusiast and creator of the “Bone Collector” hunting show.
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