Actor McConaughey named Grand Marshal for Daytona.

Actor Matthew McConaughey has been named Grand Marshal for the 47th annual Daytona 500.

At this years race McConaughey will give the command "Drivers, start your engines" in the biggest, richest and most prestigious stock car race in the world. His Grand Marshal duties also include leading the 43-car field in the pace laps from the Grand Marshal pace car.

"I'm honoured and excited to be the Grand Marshal of this year's race. There is nothing more American than NASCAR and the Daytona 500," said McConaughey.

McConaughey has starred in more than 30 films including popular releases such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, A Time to Kill, Contact and The Wedding Planner.

"The stars we have coming to the Daytona 500 get bigger and bigger each year," said Speedway President Robin Braig. "We're excited to have Matthew take part in Daytona 500 pre-race festivities to help kick off what will be an exciting 2005 season."

McConaughey continues the tradition of high-profile celebrities, athletes and politicians that have participated in or attended the Daytona 500, NASCAR's annual season-opening event for its premier racing series.

President George Bush attended the 2004 Daytona 500 in which actor, director and Academy Award winning writer Ben Affleck served as Grand Marshal. International superstar actor John Travolta served as Grand Marshal in the 2003 Daytona 500 joining a list of esteemed past Grand Marshals including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Jim Kelly.

Lee Ann Rimes sang the national anthem during the pre-race festivities for the 2004 Daytona 500 and Mariah Carey, the biggest selling female pop artist of all time, sang the 2003 Anthem.

Celebrities such as former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, American Idol judge Randy Jackson and action movie star Vin Diesel all have attended NASCAR's most watched race.

Fellow TV and film personality Ashton Kutcher will be the honorary starter for the February 20th event.