Bargatze, who had considered slipping a joke into the command, ultimately kept it straight. He joked about a 500‑mile question and a reference to Jimmie Johnson, but decided to stay normal and let the drivers focus on the race.
The 46‑year‑old also mingled with drivers like Denny Hamlin and was honored with a numbered Daytona 500 hat. His recent comedy successes include a Grammy‑winning album and a record‑breaking tour, underscoring his status as a top American comic.