TALLADEGA — This isn’t Auburn head football coach Gus Malzahn’s first time as one of the honorees of Talladega Superspeedway’s marquee spring event, but it was the first time he said “the most famous words in motorsports.”

Malzahn had grand marshal duties for Sunday’s Geico 500 got to give the command for NASCAR drivers competing that day to start their engines.

“It’s an honor to be back,” Malzahn said in a pre-race press conference. “In 2014, I had a great experience at my first NASCAR event, to be able to drive the pace car — great memories with that. Just glad to be back to kick this thing off.”

“I like being here, and I like meeting the guys,” he added. “I don’t have one particular guy but I got a chance to meet quite a few of them last time.”

Malzahn also addressed the 11 Auburn players that were either drafted or signed as free agents with NFL teams over the past few days.

“Very excited for our four guys that were drafted,” he said. “We got seven that signed free-agent deals, too, that I think will have an excellent chance to play at the next level.”

“It’s really unique for me to see professionals that are the best at what they do and just sit back and watch, and kind of be a fan and see how they go about their business,” he said. “And now, have a chance to be able to get here, enjoy it and really understand it.”

Malzahn also spoke about Auburn starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, and gave an optimistic report.

“He could have went in A-Day,” said Malzahn. “As soon as we get back from the break, he’ll be ready to go.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and is the editor of Breitbart TV.