The 2025 Daytona 500 got underway about 4 hours after its initial start due to rain delays. While President Donald Trump led the pack in the afternoon, the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS pace car took center stage after rain arrived at Daytona International Speedway.
The pace car, a Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, was the first electric vehicle to serve as the pace car for the Great American Race. According to Chevrolet, it’s “the quickest SS model Chevrolet has ever produced,” going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

The pace car leads the field at the start of the race, after crashes, during delays, and at the beginning of each stage. While some fans weren’t thrilled with the choice, the Blazer EV SS performed its duties behind drivers like President Donald Trump before the race start.
For those looking to watch the Daytona 500, coverage was scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET on Fox, with streaming options available through Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers. The broadcast team included Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer, and Kevin Harvick calling the action from the booth at Daytona International Speedway.
The USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida provided coverage, with contributors Ken Willis and Austin Chastain adding to the reporting.