Superman to be grand marshal for Pepsi 400

Brandon Routh, who stars as the Man of Steel in Superman Returns, Warner Bros. Pictures' soaring new action adventure opening nationwide on June 28, will serve as the grand marshal for the 48th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday, July 1 at Daytona International Speedway.

Brandon Routh Credit: AP

Routh will give the command "Drivers, start your engines" in NASCAR's mid-summer classic. His grand marshal duties also include leading the 43-car field in the pace laps from the grand marshal pace car.

"We're excited to have Brandon, the star of one of this summer's blockbuster movies, give the starting command for this year's Pepsi 400," Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig said. "Brandon's participation proves the Pepsi 400 continues to attract top celebrities to one of NASCAR's premier events."

Prior to his casting as Superman, Routh starred in the ABC sitcom Odd Man Out and the ABC daytime drama One Life To Live. He has also made guest appearances on the hit shows Gilmore Girls, Cold Case and Will & Grace.

Pepsi is the official soft drink partner of this summer's blockbuster Superman Returns and is honoring the Man of Steel all summer long with exclusive promotions, packaging and sweepstakes tied to the movie. In addition to Routh serving as the Grand Marshal of the Pepsi 400, Pepsi's own hero, Jeff Gordon, will race his No. 24 Pepsi Chevrolet in a special Superman Returns paint-out car featuring the Superman S-Shield.