Rumsfeld named Pepsi 400 grand marshal

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has been named Grand Marshal for the 47th running of the Pepsi 400 on Saturday.

Mr. Rumsfeld will give the command "Drivers, start your engines" in NASCAR's star-spangled holiday weekend event set to begin under the lights at 8 p.m. at the "World Center of Racing." His Grand Marshal duties also include leading the 43-car field in the pace laps from the Grand Marshal pace car.

"It is only fitting to have Secretary Rumsfeld serve as Grand Marshal for an Independence Day weekend tradition like the 47th Pepsi 400," said DIS President Robin Braig. "We are honored and privileged that Mr. Rumsfeld will be on hand to witness one of NASCAR's grandest nighttime spectacles."

Secretary Rumsfeld was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of Defense on January 20, 2001. Before assuming his present post, the former Navy pilot had also served as the 13th Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, U.S. Congressman and chief executive officer of two Fortune 500 companies.