DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, has been named the honorary grand marshal for the USAC.25 Series’ national race at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Feb. 6-9.

The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports is the only driver to win five consecutive NASCAR championships (2006-10). Since his rookie year in 2002, Johnson has earned 83 wins and holds the most wins at Dover Int’l Speedway (11), Charlotte Motor Speedway (eight) and Texas Motor Speedway (seven). He returns to Daytona Speedweeks as the most recent winner of the Busch Clash at Daytona.

The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season marks Johnson’s 19th and final season as a full-time NASCAR driver.

“I’m looking forward to this event,” said Johnson, who hails from El Cajon, Calif. “I can only imagine how exciting it is for these kids to be competing at Daytona and being able to see the drivers they look up to at the same time. There could be another future NASCAR driver among the kids who are racing in USAC now, so I’m proud to be the Honorary Grand Marshal and looking forward to checking it out – kids rule.”

Johnson complements the long list of previous USAC.25 honorary grand marshals. Drivers like Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti, Josef Newgarden, Arie Luyendyk, James Hinchcliffe, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Alexander Rossi and Kyle Busch have all taken the time to speak to the young drivers.

The event on Feb. 6-9 marks the third consecutive time the USAC.25 Series has kicked off its season at Daytona Int’l Speedway. A one-twentieth-mile long tri-oval racetrack will be temporarily constructed on a paved section inside Daytona Int’l Speedway.