Troy and Lorissa Link to represent Jack Link’s leadership as honorary starter
TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 21, 2026) – Talladega Superspeedway announced today that Zac Brown, a three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and lead singer of Zac Brown Band, will be the grand marshal for the Jack Link’s 500. Joining him as the honorary starter are the CEO of Jack Link’s, Troy Link, and the founder of Lorissa’s Organics, Lorissa Link.
“Zac and his music have a way of bringing people together – and that same energy and passion that define his performances also define what Talladega Superspeedway is about,” said Josh Harris, Region President, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. “Whether it’s on stage or on the high banks, it’s all about unforgettable moments, and we can’t wait for Zac to help fire up the crowd and get this race started in true Talladega style.”
For over two decades, Zac Brown Band has cultivated genre-defining music with classics like “Free,” “Toes,” and “Chicken Fried,” and most recently with the release of their latest album, “Love & Fear.” The Atlanta, Georgia, native wears many hats as not only the magnetic frontman for Zac Brown Band, but also as an innovative entrepreneur with projects spanning beyond the entertainment industry to food, fashion and philanthropic efforts as well.
In 2011, Brown founded the Camp Southern Ground – a summer camp for neurodiverse children of all ages that experience social, emotional or financial challenges. There, the camp aims to provide extraordinary experiences that help build confidence and community. During the offseason, the site is used for post 9/11 veterans as an opportunity for healing while in the search for a purpose in civilian life. Last year, Brown was named the inaugural winner of the Veterans Voice Award for his commitment to the military community.
As the grand marshal, Brown’s iconic voice will usher the most famous words in the motorsports, getting the crowd ready for the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Serving as the honorary starter, Lorissa Link, will wave the green flag to start the race as field thunders through the trioval. She will be accompanied by Troy Link.
Troy, son of Jack Link’s founder, is the acting CEO of the Wisconsin-based snack company. For over 40 years, the family owned and operated company has passed along family recipes for the world to enjoy. Troy has spent almost 30 years with the company and is in his 14th as the CEO. Lorissa is the founder of Lorissa’s Organics, an allergen-free meat snack company offering the category’s only certified organic – and free from the top nine allergens – beef, chicken and turkey sticks.
The spring race weekend action at Talladega Superspeedway kicks off on Saturday, April 25, with a doubleheader. The ARCA Menards Series will hit the track in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 a 12:30 p.m. ET followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4:00 p.m. ET. On Sunday, April 26, the NASCAR Cup Series stars will duke it out during the Jack Link’s 500 to close out the weekend at 3:00 p.m. ET.
For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the Jack Link’s 500 race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.
About Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three-and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.
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.
Media Contacts
Steph Harris
NASCAR Communications
386-275-6245
Morgan English
NASCAR Communications
386-610-3340
