Gov. McMaster named honorary pace car rider for Southern 500

(WPDE) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will serve as the honorary pace car rider for Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, joining pre-race ceremonies before riding in the passenger seat of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse that will lead the field to green.

Gov. Henry McMaster to Serve as Honorary Pace Car Rider for Cook Out Southern 500. (Credit: Darlington Raceway/NASCAR)

The Cook Out Southern 500 is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events and the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase.

“Governor McMaster has been an unwavering supporter of NASCAR and Darlington Raceway, and we are honored to have him lead the field to green for the Cook Out Southern 500,” Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris said. “His support of our sport and our track goes far beyond being a fan. His leadership and commitment made it possible for NASCAR to become the first major professional sport to return to competition following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We are incredibly grateful for everything Governor McMaster has done for NASCAR, Darlington Raceway, and the state of South Carolina.”

McMaster played a key role in Darlington Raceway hosting NASCAR’s first race after the sport’s nearly two-month shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working alongside NASCAR officials, public health experts and state and local leaders, McMaster helped create the environment that allowed racing to resume at Darlington.

The Real Heroes 400 on May 17, 2020, marked NASCAR’s return to live competition and was the first professional sports event in the United States after the pandemic brought the sports world to a halt. The race became a defining moment in Darlington Raceway’s history, as the Track Too Tough to Tame helped pave the way for the broader return of professional sports.

Darlington is set to open the NASCAR Chase on Labor Day weekend. On Saturday, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase begins with the Fleetio 200, leading into Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500, where drivers will compete for the Johnny Mantz Trophy.