Tom Araya is stepping into the fast lane — this time far from the stage — as he’s been tapped to serve as Grand Marshal for the upcoming “Würth 400 presented by Liqui Moly” at Texas Motor Speedway.
Set for Sunday, May 3, the high-profile NASCAR event will see the SLAYER frontman deliver the traditional command for drivers to fire up their engines ahead of the race, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT (FS1, PRN, SiriusXM). The appearance comes as Texas Motor Speedway marks its 30th anniversary season, adding a dose of thrash metal energy to the milestone celebration.
“Excited to be the Grand Marshal for the Würth 400,” Araya said. “SLAYER, NASCAR reign in speed!”
Araya won’t be the only notable name on hand. Cooper Flagg — the 2026 NBA Rookie Of The Year and a rising star with the Dallas Mavericks — is also set to appear in a prominent dignitary role during the event.
Meanwhile, SLAYER are continuing to mark a major milestone of their own. The band is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their landmark album Reign In Blood with special performances where the record will be played in full. Fans can catch those shows on September 4 in Shakopee, followed by two nights in Los Angeles on November 13 and November 14.
Support for the Los Angeles shows will come from CANNIBAL CORPSE, CAVALERA and CROWBAR, while the Minnesota date will feature DOWN, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and HATEBREED.
SLAYER originally concluded their farewell tour in November 2019, seemingly closing the chapter on their storied career. However, the band made a surprise return in 2024, opting for a limited number of high-profile appearances rather than a full-scale comeback. Since then, they’ve performed at major events across North America and Europe, including a notable East Coast stop at Hersheypark Stadium and festival appearances like Louder Than Life.
They also paid tribute to heavy metal pioneers BLACK SABBATH by performing a six-song set at the band’s sold-out “Back To The Beginning” final concert on July 5, 2025, held at Villa Park in Birmingham, England — further cementing their legacy among metal’s elite.
The lineup for all of SLAYER’s comeback shows in 2024 and 2025 has remained consistent with their final 2019 tour, featuring Kerry King and Paul Bostaph alongside Tom Araya and Gary Holt.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.