The list of celebrities who have served as grand marshals for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a star-studded one. You've got Tim Allen, Kim Kardashian, Mark Wahlberg, NFL star Derek Carr, UFC president Dana White, and automotive icon Carroll Shelby, just to name a few. At this Sunday's Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper will add his name to that prestigious list when he gives the "start your engines" command at the 26th running of the Vegas Cup race.
The 30-year-old Harper may now call Philadelphia home, as the 12-year veteran outfielder signed with the Phillies back in 2019, but the seven-time All Star is actually a native of Sin City and went to Las Vegas High School. As a longtime NASCAR fan and a Vegas native, Harper will be living out a major dream when he gives the starting command in just a few days.
"I've been a fan of NASCAR for quite some time now. So being asked to give the command, especially at my hometown track, just checks off another box on my to-do list as a fan," Harper said, according to Speedway Digest. "I'm looking forward to being a part of this awesome event."
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Las Vegas native and @Phillies outfielder, @bryceharper3 will give the command to fire engines for the #Pennzoil400 on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/kyG5qYB2xg— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) February 28, 2023
Harper's stint as a grand marshal comes at a somewhat convenient time. The two-time National League MVP is currently recovering from right elbow surgery, which he underwent in November due to a sustained small tear of the ulnar collateral ligament that he suffered in April. Harper is expected to report to Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida on March 8 or 9, according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.
"He's doing great from the recovery perspective," Dombrowski told the Associated Press. "In his progress, doctors are happy where he is."
