Super Bowl winning coordinator will drive pace car at New Hampshire NASCAR race
A Super Bowl winner will lead the field at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who in February helped orchestrate the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history calling the plays for quarterback Tom Brady, will drive the pace car ahead of the Overton’s 301 on July 16 (3 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).
“I enjoy NASCAR and love coming up to New Hampshire Motor Speedway whenever I get a chance,” McDaniels said in a release. “Driving the pace car to start the race is about as exciting as it gets. I know we have had players at the Patriots take a turn in the pace car, and I heard how much they enjoyed the experience. I look forward to my chance to do it.”
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McDaniels is the fourth member of the Patriots organization to pilot the pace car at New Hampshire but the first coach. New England wide receiver Julian Edelman drove the car ahead of the July 2014 race, defensive end Rob Ninkovich paced the field in July 2015 and offensive lineman Matt Light got behind the wheel in September 2016 five years after retiring from the NFL.
McDaniels has been the Patriots offensive coordinator for eight seasons (2006-08 and 2012-16) after beginning his career with New England as a coaching assistant in 2001. He won two Super Bowls as offensive coordinator and another three as an assistant coach. His play calling was instrumental in the Patriots’ rally from a 28-3 third-quarter deficit in Super Bowl LI earlier this year. New England eventually beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime.
“You can’t go wrong with a New England Patriot starting your race and being there at the end of it, too,” said David McGrath, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “Josh is one of the most well-respected football coaches in the country and I think he is the perfect person to lead the field to green on July 16.”
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