Kevin Smith & WWE superstar headed to Dover for special NASCAR mission

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WWE star Braun Strowman and revered filmmaker Kevin Smith are both headed to the Monster Mile racetrack in Dover for a special mission Sunday.

Smith has been named the grand marshal for Sunday's big race, while WWE star Strowman has been tapped to serve as the honorary pace car driver for the event, which is the Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, track officials announced Thursday.

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Smith, a native of Red Bank, New Jersey, said in a statement that his first visit to Dover's race track was during his childhood with his family.

“Back in the 1970s, when it was still called Dover Downs, my Dad drove me, my brother, my sister and my Mom the short ride from Jersey to Delaware to see the Monster Mile,” Smith recalled.

“But the day he picked turned out to be a day the track was actually closed, with the only car in sight being my Dad’s old Plymouth!"

Who is Braun Stroman?

WWE wrestler Braun Strowman is introduced at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
WWE wrestler Braun Strowman is introduced at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Strowman broke out on his own in 2016 and has been terrorizing the WWE ever since.

His highlights include slamming Brock Lesnar through two tables and flipping an ambulance over with Roman Reigns inside.

Before joining the WWE, Strowman earned his Strongman Corporation card by winning the NAS Amateur National Championships in 2011.

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He won the 2012 Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships, earning him an invite to the 2013 Arnold Strongman Classic.

He competed in the SCL North American Championships in 2012, finishing in fifth place as well as competing in the Giants Live Poland event, finishing in seventh, according to press materials.

Who is Kevin Smith?

Beloved filmmaker Kevin Smith will be the grand marshal for the Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 30.
Beloved filmmaker Kevin Smith will be the grand marshal for the Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 30.

Smith is famous for being a creative nerd with a cult following. He's written comic books, films and directed and acted in projects.

Some of the notable projects he's written and directed include “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” and “Red State,” most of which were set in New Jersey.

He is also owner of Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, a comic book store in his hometown of Red Bank.

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Silent Bob and Jay strike again in 2024?

Smith's popular recurring character Silent Bob has featured in a number of his projects, along with the character Jay, portrayed by Jason Mewes.

In 2024, Smith and Mewes will host "Jay & Silent Bob present Cruise Askew," sailing from Feb. 23 to 26, from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, according to press materials.

The festival will be aboard the luxurious Norwegian Pearl.

The immersive event will host live podcast recordings, stand-up comedy, exclusive Q&As, an unreleased “Clerks III” script reading, theme nights and more Askewniverse-inspired experiences, press materials stated. 

For more info, visit Cabins at cruiseaskew.com.

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What did Kevin Smith say about being grand marshal?

Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who first visited the Monster Mile in Dover when he was a child, will be the grand marshal for the Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 30.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who first visited the Monster Mile in Dover when he was a child, will be the grand marshal for the Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 30.

"I was thrilled — and I know Dad would’ve been proud — when I got an invite to Dover Motor Speedway almost 45 years later to say the most famous words in motorsports at NASCAR’s Würth 400," Smith explained.

"And this time, I know for a fact the track’s going to be open!”

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How to watch NASCAR Dover Races

Dover Motor Speedway (1131 N Dupont Highway, Dover) has a race schedule this weekend that includes:

  • Sunday, April 30, 2 p.m.: Würth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race (FS1, PRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio)

  • Saturday, April 29, 1:30 p.m.: A-Game 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race (FS1, PRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio)

  • Friday, April 28, 5:30 p.m.: General Tire 125 ARCA Menards Series East race (FloRacing)

Friday and Saturday tickets are free for kids 12 and under (with a paying adult) at the Monster Mile and $10 on Sunday.

For tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Kevin Smith & WWE star Braun Strowman tapped for NASCAR race in Dover