Kutcher named honorary starter for Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Ashton Kutcher, the star of FOX's "That '70s Show" and the star of the upcoming feature film "Guess Who" will serve as honorary starter for the 47th annual Daytona 500.

As honorary starter, Kutcher will wave the green flag to start the 43 Nextel Cup Series drivers in the 200-lap, 500-mile race.

"We're excited to have Ashton Kutcher here to start the Daytona 500 and the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season," Speedway President Robin Braig said. "Attracting a star of Ashton's caliber proves once again the Daytona 500 is one of the premier sports events in the world."

Kutcher will co-star with actor/comedian Bernie Mac in Columbia Pictures and Regency Enterprises' "Guess Who," which will be released March 25 of this year. In the movie, in an effort to impress his prospective father-in-law Percy Jones (Mac), Simon Green (Kutcher), who has already secretly proposed to Jones' daughter, boasts of his (nonexistent) past as a NASCAR driver. Simon's repeated attempts to make a good impression are futile as Percy rebuffs him at every turn and makes it his mission to undermine his daughter's new relationship. The film also stars Zoë Saldaña and Judith Scott.

Kutcher will also star in another 2005 release "A Lot Like Love" which is scheduled for release in April. His past movie credits have included "The Butterfly Effect," "Cheaper By The Dozen" "My Boss' Daughter," "Just Married" and "Dude, Where's My Car?" He is also the creator of MTV's popular reality series "Punk'd".

"Being honorary starter for the Daytona 500 is great way to experience NASCAR and come together with more than 200,000 fans at the Super Bowl of racing," Kutcher said. "As a fan of NASCAR, I'm excited to be involved and to wave the green flag in NASCAR's signature event."

Kutcher continues the tradition of high-profile actors, athletes and politicians that have participated in the Daytona 500 pre-race ceremonies. Comedian Whoopi Goldberg served as honorary starter for the 2004 Daytona 500 and singer Mariah Carey sang the National Anthem and served as honorary starter for the 2003 Daytona 500.

President George W. Bush and Academy Award-winning actor Ben Affleck served as the co-grand marshals and the President gave the starting command, "Drivers, start your engines," for the 2004 Daytona 500.