Retired United States Army General Wesley Clark was selected as the Grand Marshal for the 59th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday night, July 1 at Daytona International Speedway.

Clark will deliver the famous “Drivers, start your engines” command to the 40-car field and will ride in one of the Grand Marshal cars during pace laps prior to the green flag of the 160-lap, 400-mile race.

Clark retired from the military in 2000 and was a Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 2003 after 38years of service. His awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five awards), silver star, bronze star, purple heart, honorary knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments, and numerous other awards from other governments, including award of Commander of the Legion of Honor (France).