{"id":127268,"date":"2025-08-07T20:45:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/127268\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T20:45:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:45:10","slug":"comedy-legend-bill-murray-set-to-deliver-nascars-iconic-command-at-enjoy-illinois-300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/127268\/","title":{"rendered":"Comedy Legend Bill Murray Set to Deliver NASCAR\u2019s Iconic Command at Enjoy Illinois 300"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week in and week out, NASCAR<\/a> fans crave racing action. But one other thing that has a lot of buzz and hype ahead of the weekend is who will have the honor of saying the most famous words in motorsports.<\/p>\n

According to NASCAR, for one such weekend, legendary actor and comedian Bill Murray will have that privilege.<\/p>\n

Bill Murray Is Pumped To Commence an Upcoming NASCAR Race Weekend<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that tradition is sacred in NASCAR and taken very seriously. Be it \u201cKissing the Bricks\u201d or doing \u201cPolish victory laps.\u201d However, one of the most iconic traditions, without which a race cannot green flag, is when the grand marshal says, \u201cDrivers, start your engines.\u201d<\/p>\n

But this one tradition wasn\u2019t originally started in NASCAR. Wilbur Shaw first said it at the 1953 Indianapolis 500. What made it a sensation was its appearance in print on the morning \u201cCountdown\u201d schedule that year.<\/p>\n

However, the iconic line has seen a few changes over its years in NASCAR. It started off as \u201cGentlemen, start your engines,\u201d a time when only men raced in the sport. Then, after female drivers also became a part, it was changed to, \u201cLadies and gentlemen, start your engines.\u201d But over time, everyone seems to have settled on, \u201cDrivers, start your engines.\u201d It\u2019s inclusive, it\u2019s short, and it conveys the message.<\/p>\n

Speaking of which, Murray will be saying this line ahead of the Cup Series\u2019 \u201cEnjoy Illinois 300\u201d race at the World Wide Technology Raceway. Recently, WWT\u2019s official X handle made the announcement. Their post<\/a> carried their contagious excitement to fans, urging them to show up on trackside.<\/p>\n

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Bill. Freakin\u2019. Murray.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right \u2014 he\u2019s our Grand Marshal for the @enjoyillinois<\/a> 300 on September 7!<\/p>\n

Be there to witness the legend say the most famous words in motorsports. \ud83c\udfa4\ud83c\udfc1 pic.twitter.com\/Tw1eW0ceJB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 WWT Raceway (@WWTRaceway) August 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Also, Murray\u2019s duties at WWT won\u2019t be limited to just saying this one line; the 74-year-old will basically lead all ceremonial events on the track. The marshal\u2019s role also includes waving the green flag, but it\u2019s a duty that is often given to the honorary starter, in the grand marshal\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n

Moreover, while the grand marshal is pretty much always a celebrity, Hollywood has been a popular option for NASCAR to choose from. Only last year, Dwayne \u201cthe Rock\u201d Johnson had those duties for the Daytona 500. Even before him, actors like Matthew McConaughey, Chris Evans, and Owen Wilson have done the honors.<\/p>\n

Read More: NASCAR Icon Dale Earnhardt Sr.\u2019s Statue Stands Tall Among America\u2019s 10 Most Beloved in Sports<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

But, the crowd will probably cheer the loudest for Murray, given he\u2019s the home boy at the Illinois track. The actor\/comedian became a household name thanks to Ghostbusters in the 80s, but he\u2019s still got a die-hard fan following. It was his easy-going persona that everyone related to. Even after he became a Hollywood sensation, he did not have an agent, a publicist, or anything that was the norm for a star.<\/p>\n

While the WWT race is the second one of the playoffs and is still a long way off, NASCAR fans would find it worth it now just to listen to Murray.<\/p>\n