NASCAR to Ring in the New Year with 2023 Rose Parade Float

NASCAR will be ringing in the new year in a new way, as race fans watching the 2023 Rose Parade presented by Honda on January 2 might do a double take when it comes to at least one particular float.

NASCAR has entered a float that will kick off its 75th season and help to promote its second Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum. The float is titled "Always Forward" and will fit into the 2023 parade theme, "Turning the Corner."

A rendering, released by NASCAR features floral recreations of the iconic race cars of legends Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon. It begs the question, what would The Intimidator think about the No. 3 Chevy and its float built out of tens of thousands of flowers, assorted leaves, nuts, spices and black seaweed?

The float is projected to be 25 feet high and 55 feet long and feature a backdrop of the entrance of the LA Coliseum. According to NASCAR, the cars, track, ribbons and checkered flags will be created from red cranberry seed, black seaweed, rice, orange lentils, poppy seeds, blue statice and ground green split pea.

And, because we had to ask, the floats at the Rose Parade travel the 5.5-mile route at all of 2.5 mph.

“We’re beyond thrilled to be participating in such an incredible spectacle as the Rose Parade,” said NASCAR vice president of Marketing Services Patrick Rogers in a press release. “There’s truly no better way to enter NASCAR’s 75th year than by celebrating at an event that brings people together through immense creativity and color. With a theme that so closely resembles the growth of our sport and organization, I can’t wait to see our float come to life in the new year.”

Artistic Entertainment Services, an official float builder and partner of the Tournament of Roses, will construct the float.

The Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum will be held on February 2023.