Paramount Pictures has released two new hi-res photos of Michael Bay calling the shots on the Cape Canaveral set of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, while stars Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley listen for his cues in the background. It was also announced today that stars Josh Duhamel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and director Michael Bay will serves as the Grand Marshals of this year's Daytona 500. More details follow after the images below.

Director/Executive Producer Michael Bay on the set
Shia LaBeouf and director/executive producer Michael Bay

The stars of Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Josh Duhamel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and director Michael Bay - will serve as the Grand Marshals for 53rd running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, airing at 12 p.m. ET on FOX. As Grand Marshals, the Transformers: Dark of the Moon cast will deliver the four most famous words in motorsports -

"Gentlemen, start your engines."

In addition, the modified NASCAR stock cars featured in the movie will make their first public appearance by leading the 43-car field during the pace laps of "The Great American Race," the kick-off event to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

The Daytona 500 will not be Michael Bay or Transformers: Dark of the Moon' first introduction to the NASCAR world. In 2009, Michael Bay piloted the official pace car at a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to promote the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DVD. NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman also took part, racing with branded images of opposing Autobots and Decepticons on their cars and uniforms. Michael Bay credits his vision to include NASCAR stock cars in the new Transformers: Dark of the Moon to this experience.

"We're honored to have the stars and director from this blockbuster film franchise "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" serve as Grand Marshals of 'The Great American Race,'" Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. "As an added bonus for our fans, three cars from the movie will be on location during Speedweeks and we all look forward to watching them lead the field for the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 on the newly paved racing surface."

In the days leading up to the Daytona 500, race fans can view the Transformers: Dark of the Moon NASCAR stock cars at the Chevy Display located in the Midway outside Turn 4.

Tickets for Speedweeks 2011 events, including the 53rd annual Daytona 500, are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway)

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