SLAYER's iconic bassist and vocalist TOM ARAYA served as Grand Marshal for the Würth 400 NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on May 3, 2026, delivering the traditional "Drivers, start your engines" command to the assembled grid.
The speedway was celebrating its 30th anniversary season, and ARAYA's appointment as Grand Marshal underlined the shared culture of speed, power, and intensity that connects heavy metal and motorsport. He captured the occasion perfectly in his pre-race statement: "Excited to be the Grand Marshal for the Würth 400. SLAYER, NASCAR reign in speed!"
The event also featured NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg as Honorary Pace Car Driver, and 101-year-old World War II veteran Don Graves — a survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima — singing the national anthem, adding genuine historical gravity to the afternoon.
For SLAYER fans, the appearance is a welcome reminder that the band remains culturally visible even outside active touring cycles. ARAYA and company are set to perform at the inaugural Sick New World Texas festival on October 24, 2026, and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of a landmark album with dedicated shows in September and November.
SLAYER, formed in Huntington Park, California in 1981, are considered one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal alongside METALLICA, MEGADETH, and ANTHRAX. The band has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and holds two Grammy Awards.