Professional wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan will serve as grand marshal and give the command "Drivers, start your engines" for the inaugural nighttime running of the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday night, Feb. 13. Joining Hogan in the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 pre-race ceremonies will be his daughter Brooke Hogan, who will sing the national anthem.

"We're thrilled to have both Hulk Hogan and his daughter Brooke kick off festivities for the Florida Dodge Dealers 250," Speedway President Robin Braig said. "The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series puts on a great show and with this year's race being held under the lights for the first time, the excitement level should reach new heights."

Hulk Hogan, who began wrestling in the 1970s, raised the popularity of professional wrestling in the 1980s with "Hulk-a-Mania" in the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), where he is a five-time champion. Hogan, who is also a six-time World Championship Wrestling World Title champion and winner of two Royal Rumbles, has starred in over a dozen features films such as "No Holds Barred," "Suburban Commando" and "Mr. Nanny" as well as numerous televisions appearances.

While Hulk Hogan has found stardom in the wrestling ring, Brooke Hogan is a rising star on stage as a singer. In 2003, Brooke Hogan, who calls Clearwater, Fla., her home, opened for Hillary Duff, performed in the Latin-style Halloween celebration Guavaween in Tampa's Ybor City and sang the national anthem for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

"It's an honor to have wrestling icon Hulk Hogan represent the Florida Dodge Dealers and give the starting command for the Florida Dodge Dealers 250," said Tom Myers, President of the Orlando Dodge Dealers Association.
The Florida Dodge Dealers 250 will go green for the first time under the lights on Friday night, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. The season-opening race in the Crown Royal IROC Series will warm things up with a 40-lap event at 5 p.m.
Tickets for the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 and the Crown Royal IROC Series are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.