Maybe the San Francisco 49ers should look into having head coach Kyle Shanahan fire up the crowds at Levi's Stadium before each home game this season because he did a good job serving as the Grand Marshal of today's Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race. He was tasked with the tradition of starting the race by telling the drivers to start their engines.
"I'm not going to lie. I am nervous for it," Shanahan told the television announcing team before the race. "I didn't totally know what I was getting into until I saw video of it a little bit ago."
Shanahan was told that he needs to be aggressive.
"Alright, I'm going to come strong," he responded.
He certainly did that.
"Hello, Faithful," Shanahan told the crowd. "Hey, we've missed you guys, man. So pumped to see you at Levi's again this year. On that note, let's get this started."
That was, of course, followed by, "Drivers, start your engines!"
Thanks, Coach! ENGINES FIRED AT SONOMA.@49ers | @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/XaqhRJxnsY
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 6, 2021
Before the race, Shanahan was asked how his two quarterbacks, Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, would be as drivers in a NASCAR race.
"They'd probably have a hard time getting into the car, first of all, from what I've seen," Shanahan said. "But I think they'd both be a little reckless over this course. I just went up and down it, and I don't know how you can do this going up and down. I just thought it was about driving fast, but you'd be in trouble if you do that."
Hear from our Grand Marshal @49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan! 🗣@NASCAR | #ToyotaSaveMart350 pic.twitter.com/sXOEFrDCub
— Sonoma Raceway (@RaceSonoma) June 6, 2021
This race was Shanahan's first time attending a NASCAR event, and he seems to have learned a lot about the sport.
"This is one of the coolest things I've been a part of," Shanahan said. "I had no idea what goes into it. I've seen Talladega Nights, and I thought that's where it ended."
Tomorrow, the 49ers return to practice for the final week of organized team activities.