DAYTONA, Fla. (NewsNation) — The Great American Race got more patriotic this year, as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the 2024 grand marshal, invited U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George to attend the 66th running of the Daytona 500.
“The Rock and I have one big thing in common, we love U.S. Army soldiers, and he really wants to help the Army,” George said.
NASCAR postponed the season-opening until Monday because of two days of rain at Daytona International Speedway. Despite Sunday’s washout, paratroopers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division were honored with a visit from George.
George enlisted in the Army when he was 17. He enlisted for a couple of years to get money for college but stayed “because of the people.”
George assumed his role as chief of staff for the U.S. Army last year. Part of his mission was to improve recruiting.
“Just to get whatever we can do to get the message out that the U.S. Army is just a great place to serve. When America calls 911, we answer the phone,” George said.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Nolan Svoboda, with the 82nd Airborne Division, jumped into combat enlisting when he was 18.
“Before me, my grandfather was a paratrooper during and after World War II, and I felt responsible almost to carry on that legacy and continue to serve the American people. That’s what’s important to me,” he said.
Svoboda served in the very unit his grandfather was part of decades ago.
“I think he’d be proud to see me wearing jump wings, wearing the red beret,” he said.
He further honored his grandfather by committing to three more years of service. With George doing the honors, Svoboda’s re-enlistment took place in Victory Lane, where legends are made.
“Doesn’t get any more American than this,” Svoboda said.