Michigan-native goaltender brings the gold-medal energy to the most famous words in motorsports
BROOKLYN, MICH. (June 2, 2026) – Michigan International Speedway announced today that Connor Hellebuyck will serve as the grand marshal for the FireKeepers Casino 400. The Michigan-native and 2026 Olympic Gold medal winner for the United States will deliver the most famous words in motorsports prior to the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, June 7.
“It’s an honor to have Connor Hellebuyck serve as our grand marshal for what will be another incredible weekend of racing in the Irish Hills,” said Joe Fowler, President of Michigan International Speedway. “Connor’s championship pedigree and competitiveness embody everything we love about Michigan. His command will be a special moment and our fans will be ready to welcome back a hometown hero.”
Born and raised in Commerce Township, Michigan, Connor Hellebuyck just finished his 11th season with the Winnipeg Jets. The 33-year-old goalkeeper is a four-time all-star and three-time Vezina Trophy winner for best goalie in the National Hockey League. In 2025, Hellebuyck added the Hart Trophy to his collection after being named the league’s most valuable player.
Hellebuyck continued his dominant tear this year after earning the starting spot in net on the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey squad. Over six games, Hellebuyck halted an Olympic-leading 95.62% of shots on goal, including a remarkable 41 of 42 in the gold-medal match against Team Canada, the reigning and nine-time gold-medal winners.
His heroic performance led to the United States’ third ever gold medal in men’s hockey and first since the historic ‘Miracle on Ice’ game in 1980. The men’s final was the most viewed event of the 2026 Winter Olympics and immediately launched Team USA and Hellebuyck into stardom.
“Growing up in the Motor City, NASCAR has always been a part of my life thanks to my dad’s passion for the sport,” said Hellebuyck. “That love rubbed off on me early, and it’s an incredible honor to serve as grand marshal for the FireKeepers Casino 400 and help kick off this exciting weekend at Michigan International Speedway.”
The June race weekend at Michigan International Speedway begins with the ARCA Menards Series Henry Ford Health 200 on Friday, June 5, followed by the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics on Saturday, June 6. The NASCAR Cup Series will cap off the weekend’s action with the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, June 7.
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2026 NASCAR race weekend at Michigan International Speedway at www.mispeedway.com.
To view the full NASCAR schedule for 2026, please visit www.nascar.com/schedule.
About Michigan International Speedway
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is one of the fastest tracks in NASCAR. The two-mile track – with 18 degrees of banking and 73-feet wide sweeping turns – has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series for more than 50 years. Beyond the on-track action, MIS offers a wide variety of family-friendly entertainment options for fans of all ages. MIS is the largest registered campground in the state of Michigan with nearly 9,000 campsites across 1,400-plus acres. In addition to the annual NASCAR weekend, MIS hosts non-racing events including Nite Lites. For more information, visit mispeedway.com.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
