Trump to test racing skills

President Donald Trump will test his racing skills in the political swing state of Florida on Sunday with a lap in his presidential limousine "the Beast" at the Daytona 500, NASCAR's most prestigious race.

Ramping up his nationwide re-election effort after his acquittal in the US Senate impeachment trial, Trump will serve as the Grand Marshall at the annual National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) event. The president is expected to take a literal lap around the racetrack and deliver the opening line: "Drivers, start your engines" at the Daytona International Speedway before a 100,000-strong crowd.

Many people in Trump's conservative base are NASCAR fans, and Trump's campaign is taking advantage of the president's appearance to fly an aerial banner near the speedway and run a television ad during the Fox broadcast of the race.