DAYTONA BEACH — Last weekend’s Daytona 500 drew its usual galaxy of stars — and among those in attendance was Jon Gruden, the former NFL head coach and Super Bowl XXXVII champion who has become an unmistakable figure in American sports beyond the gridiron. This Sunday, Gruden shifts gears from NASCAR spectating to leading ceremonies as he serves as grand marshal for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1, kicking off the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES with engines roaring and spirits high.
Gruden, best known for guiding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first Lombardi Trophy in 2003 and for his long run as an analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Football and other broadcasts, said this week that he’s thrilled to be part of the Grand Prix festivities. The iconic figure — now a popular personality on sports media platforms — will participate in pre-race activities and deliver the official command to start the engines on St. Pete’s challenging 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit that winds through downtown.
“It’ll be my first Grand Prix in St. Petersburg,” Gruden said. “Can’t wait to see these great drivers in action and make some new friends.”
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg marks its 22nd annual running as the NTT IndyCar Series opener and will feature a full weekend of racing action, including the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ inaugural street race as part of the schedule. Alongside the headline 100-lap IndyCar field, INDY NXT by Firestone, USF2000 and Mazda MX-5 Cup competitors will add to the motorsports festival atmosphere on Florida’s waterfront.
Gruden’s presence highlights motorsports’ growing crossover appeal, bringing together fans from NASCAR, IndyCar and beyond. After making his presence known at Daytona, the coach-turned-commentator-turned-motorsports ambassador fits neatly into the high-speed carnival of road racing — a weekend where strategy, courage and a bit of highway poetry are on full display under Florida sunshine.
As engines fire and the 2026 IndyCar season begins, Gruden’s voice will join the chorus of revving machines and cheering fans eager for another year of racing thrills. For a sports figure so deeply connected to American competition and charisma, stepping into the role of grand marshal is a fitting prelude to what promises to be an unforgettable season kickoff.
Whether he’s calling plays or calling racers to run, Gruden’s weekend in Florida is just another chapter in a career that’s always embraced spectacle, energy and the unabashed joy of competition — no matter the sport.
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