Rey Mysterio replaced as grand marshal at Daytona regular series finale

Daytona International Speedway has announced that Rey Mysterio has been replaced as grand marshal for Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400. The final race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup regular season will instead see Kevin Owens take the place of the wrestler. 

This change comes only a day ahead of the race at the superspeedway, which will see Ryan Blaney start at the front of the grid. 

"UPDATE: Stepping in for Rey Mysterio, we’re excited to welcome @FightOwensFight
as the Grand Marshal for tomorrow night’s #CokeZeroSugar400!" a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the track read.

No reason was given for the late swap after Mysterio was named grand marshal only days before. The WWE Hall of Famer was expected to be delivering the traditional "drivers, start your engines!" command ahead of the race, but just two days after the initial reveal, there has been a change of plans despite the excitement from fans.

Owens, a Canadian-born wrestler, is currently healing after a neck injury has seen him sit out from the sport since March earlier this year. After successful surgery, the sportsman has yet to return. Mysterio is also healing after an injury to his groin.

Talking to La Platica a month ago, he gave an update on his health.

"I tore my groin a day before WrestleMania, from my left side, which I would say is my weakest side because I've had probably 11 ACL tears and meniscus [issues]. This knee is pretty bad. [It's] bone-on-bone.

"I started my [physical therapy], not to mention I had a busted eardrum as well so I fixed that during my time off. I'm on the road to recovery. I should be back, hopefully, by August."

Fans of the series questioned the surprise exit of the wrestler.

"How tha [sic] hell did that happen & what makes Rey to pull out of that opportunity for tomorrow's race? I was so looking forward to see him on that event via TV man SMDH," one X user commented. 

With the race starting at 7.30pm ET, LSU basketball player and musician Flau'jae Johnson will be waving the green flag to begin the race as the honorary starter.