Start your engines, Kansas City Chiefs fans.
Chiefs DT Chris Jones is set to serve as the Grand Marshal, in a virtual capacity, for the Super Start Batteries 400 at the Kansas Speedway this Thursday. Jones gets the exciting job of telling NASCAR drivers the most famous words in the sport by saying: “Drivers, start your engines!”
Fans aren’t yet allowed to be in attendance at the Kansas Speedway, which in part is why Jones’ appearance will be virtual. The race is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, July 23. It will be televised on NBC Sports Network. It’s part of the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series.
“The Chiefs provided our community a great deal of pride and joy last February, and it is only appropriate to have someone who played such a critical role in their success kick off our race weekend,” Pat Warren, President of Kansas Speedway, said in a press release. “We look forward to one of the NFL’s top defensive players having a role at Kansas Speedway, and we also want to wish him and the rest of the Chiefs the best of luck in defending their title in 2020.”
The Chiefs have a long history of supporting the local NASCAR scene in Kansas City. Anthony Sherman served as pace car driver at the Kansas 400, while his teammates and the general manager took in the race. Last season, Sherman showed up at training camp in full racing gear, driving Clint Bowyer’s stock car to St. Joseph.
