Riley Gaines, a former NCAA All-American swimmer and advocate for fairness in women’s sports, led the pre-race invocation on Sunday prior to the NASCAR Cup Series’ EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Gaines offered a prayer before actor Jack Quaid, known for his role in “The Boys,” signaled the drivers to start their engines.
In her prayer, Gaines expressed gratitude for divine mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, asking for protection for all drivers, staff, families, and fans. She requested wisdom and safety for each driver throughout the race. Additionally, she prayed for President Donald J. Trump and his administration, urging leaders to seek divine guidance in their decisions to ensure the nation’s greatness. Gaines concluded her invocation by surrendering the day’s activities to God and blessing America and Texas.
The crowd responded enthusiastically to her mention of Trump. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace occupied the front row for the race, which featured a shorter course than in previous years. This event marked the third official race of the NASCAR season, following William Byron’s consecutive victory at the Daytona 500 and Christopher Bell’s win at the Ambetter Health 400 in Atlanta. Shane van Gisbergen, a road course specialist, started in sixth position and was considered a favorite to win.
