Tim Tebow, Maurice Jones-Drew Named Grand Marshals For Gatorade Duel At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH --Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the past four seasons with the University of Florida, and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will serve as Grand Marshals for the Gatorade Duel At Daytona on Thursday.

Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy as college football's top player in 2007, will deliver the starting command "Gentlemen, start your engines" for the first Gatorade Duel while Jones-Drew will give the command to fire engines in the second Gatorade Duel.

Tebow led the University of Florida Gators to National Championships in 2006 and 2008 and set numerous national, SEC conference and school records on the field including becoming the only player in the NCAA to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a season.

Jones-Drew is an explosive triple threat as a rusher, receiver and returner for the Jaguars and has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting running backs to watch in the NFL. Drafted in second round out of UCLA, Jones-Drew averaged 83.8 yards from scrimmage and 127.7 all-purpose yards per game in his first three seasons.

This year, Jones-Drew had a stellar year and was named to the Pro Bowl. He rushed for 1,391 yards and 15 touchdowns on 312 carries and added 53 catches, 374 yards and a touchdown receiving. It was the first time in his career that he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing.

"We're excited to welcome two of the state's most popular football figures to the Gatorade Duel At Daytona," Track President Robin Braig said. "Tim Tebow is a football hero to so many Floridians and Maurice Jones-Drew is one of the NFL's most versatile players. We're looking forward to hearing their starting commands and kicking off an exciting doubleheader day of racing."

The two 150-mile, 60-lap Gatorade Duel races will finalize the starting lineup for NASCAR's most prestigious race - the 52nd annual Daytona 500. The front row for 'The Great American Race' was set during Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger with Mark Martin taking the pole and Dale Earnhardt Jr. capturing the outside pole.

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