Hawkeye alum “Big E” Ettore Ewen to drive pace car at Daytona 500

Lang
2/18/22

The start of the Great American Race will have a Hawkeye feel this year.

University of Iowa football alum Ettore Ewen, known to WWE fans as “Big E”, was announced on Friday night as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the 64th Daytona 500.

Ewen will pilot the official 2022 Daytona 500 pace car, leading the 40-car field to the green flag. The former WWE World Champion played defensive lineman for Iowa from 2004-2006. His football career was cut short by injuries, and he transitioned to competitive powerlifting before moving on to WWE.

Coverage of Sunday’s race begins at 12:30pm right here on Eastern Iowa’s home for NASCAR, The Mighty 1630 KCJJ.