SEBRING, Fla. Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, has been named grand marshal of the 73^rd running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Stockard, 22, was crowned Miss America in the annual competition in Orlando in January. A nursing student from Auburn University, and a former Auburn cheerleader, she was named Miss Alabama last June before the start of her senior year.

She will give the command to start engines to the nearly 60-car field at approximately 10 a.m. March 15.

Stockard will be joined at Sebring by Miss Florida, Casana Fink, who also competed in the 2025 Miss America pageant. Fink finished third runner up in the competition, also a significant accomplishment for the Ocala native and University of Florida graduate.

Drivers and teams have come to Sebring international Raceway for almost 75 years in hopes of being at the top of their field, and Abbie has already achieved that level of success both through the Miss America competition and her many achievements early in her life, said Wayne Estes, president of Sebring International Raceway. We are honored to have both the current title holder of such a prestigious competition join us at Sebring, and her participation will be remembered as yet another significant event within the storied Mobil 1 Twelve Hour of Sebring.

With plans to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse, Stockard will fully fund her education using the $89,000 in scholarships she earned through the Miss America Opportunity. Her commitment to service extends beyond health advocacy. She has worked with state and national leaders to advance impactful legislation and plans to continue using her platform to amplify awareness for Cystic Fibrosis while demonstrating the powerful influence of women in leadership. A dedicated Mission Partner and Best Buddies Champion, Stockard also has raised funds for the American Heart Association (AHA) and was recognized with the prestigious AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award during the Miss America Competition.

As a member of Auburn Universitys Tiger Paws Dance Team, Stockard experienced the transformative power of an active and balanced lifestyle. This passion inspired her personal initiative, High Five for Kids, which promotes the importance of establishing healthy habits early in life. Guided by five key pillars of health, the program teaches children that wellness is not a set of rules but an exciting and attainable way of life. Through High Five for Kids, she encourages children, including those with chronic illnesses like CF, to embrace their potential and make positive choices that will serve them for a lifetime.

Inspired by her best friend, Maddie, Stockard is a passionate advocate for CF. She was honored as the 2024 Hero of Hope by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and named an Official National Ambassador for the organization. Her advocacy efforts have raised more than $200,000 for CF research, including leading Alabamas largest CF fundraiser and collaborating with researchers nationwide to accelerate progress toward a cure.