With NASCAR heading to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the USA TODAY 301 on June 23, the track has landed a big name to drive the pace car before the race. On Tuesday, New Hampshire Motor Speedway announced that New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon will be the Honorary Pace Car Driver of the USA TODAY 301.
“Driving the pace car at a NASCAR race is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Judon said. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and lead NASCAR’s stars to the green flag at ‘The Magic Mile’ for the USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series race on June 23.”
Judon will enter his fourth season in New England after signing with the Patriots in 2021. Over the last three years, the 31-year-old linebacker has been a staple of New England’s defense, with a notable 15.5 sacks during the 2022 season. In 2023, Judon only played in four games due to an injury but will fully recover ahead of the 2024 season.
Judon will become the eighth Honorary Pace Car Driver from the Patriots in New Hampshire, joining Julian Edelman, Rob Ninkovich, Matt Light, Josh McDaniels, Patrick Chung, Gunner Olszewski, and David Andrews. NASCAR’s only race weekend in New Hampshire is in under two weeks, and the track is acquiring big names for the events.
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