A Crossover of Champions

Daytona International Speedway ‌is set to host a unique pairing⁢ of athletic and entertainment icons this weekend, August 22-23, as part of​ the ⁢Coke Zero⁣ Sugar 400 festivities.WWE Hall of Famer Rey⁢ Mysterio will serve as the grand marshal, while LSU Tigers women’s basketball star and musician Flau’jae johnson will wave the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series⁣ regular season finale on ⁢Saturday.

Rey Mysterio: From the Ring to the raceway

Rey Mysterio, a name synonymous with high-flying wrestling and captivating performances, brings a legacy of athletic prowess to Daytona. ‍ Inducted into the‍ WWE Hall of Fame, Mysterio’s career spans decades, marked by numerous championships including the‌ WWE Championship, two World Heavyweight Championships, and multiple titles across various divisions. He ⁤began​ his professional ⁤wrestling journey at just 14 years old‌ and‍ played a pivotal role in popularizing cruiserweight wrestling in‌ the United States, starting ⁤with‍ his work in World ⁤Championship‍ Wrestling (WCW) ‍in‍ 1996.

“The coke​ Zero Sugar 400 ​at DAYTONA is one of​ the most ‌thrilling races in motorsports, and I’m honored to be grand marshal,” Mysterio⁤ stated. “The ⁤energy at the track, ‍the passion of the fans, and the legacy of DAYTONA make this ⁣race weekend absolutely electric-standing trackside in the heart ​of the action is an⁤ experiance ⁣of a lifetime.”

Flau’jae Johnson: A Multi-Talented force

Flau’jae Johnson embodies the modern athlete, excelling‍ in‌ both basketball and music. A ​rising star with the ‍LSU Tigers women’s basketball team, Johnson was instrumental in their 2023 national championship run, earning SEC Freshman of ⁣the ⁢Year honors that ‍same ⁤year. Her accolades include being named to the SEC All-Freshman team (2023), Second-team All-SEC (2024), ​and most recently, First-team ‍All-SEC in 2025. This summer, she represented Team USA at‍ the 2025 FIBA⁤ Women’s AmeriCup, securing‌ a gold medal.

Beyond the court,​ Johnson is ⁣a signed musician with Roc Nation, having already released three albums – ⁣ 4 My Fans, ‌ Best of Both Worlds, and Flau‌ & B – and cultivated a dedicated fanbase of over 4 ​million⁤ followers known as “The Lauk.” Her achievements have garnered recognition, including a spot on the 2024 forbes 30 Under 30 ⁣list and inclusion⁣ on Billboard’s Sports & Music Power Players list.

“Getting to wave the green flag at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is such an honour,” Johnson said. “I’m hyped‍ to be part of something this legendary and bring my energy ​to the‌ track.This is going to be a​ moment to remember!”

Race Weekend Schedule

The‍ Coke Zero Sugar⁢ 400 ⁣weekend⁢ kicks off on Friday, August 22nd, with the ‍Wawa⁣ 250 Powered by Coca-Cola for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Saturday’s main event, the Coke ⁣Zero Sugar 400, will‍ be the final race of​ the regular‍ season for the NASCAR⁤ Cup Series, determining the final playoff contenders.

Exclusive pre-race ticket packages are available, offering reserved seating, access to the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone, and pre-race access to a concert featuring Gretchen Wilson.