McKeel Hagerty, CEO of - the world’s leading provider of insurance, valuation and experiences to the enthusiast car hobby - served as Grand Marshal for the 2019 ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv® National Championship Runoffs® at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). It was the first time McKeel attended the Runoffs and had a chance to work on the Starter’s Stand, flag a corner, ride in the pace car, and get a behind the scenes glimpse at how ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv members come together to pull off such an immense event.

“I’ve never been to VIR before, so that in and of itself makes it a special day,” McKeel said during an interview at the National Championship. “But to be here at the Runoffs, it’s super special for me. It’s kind of been a dream for a long time.”

During McKeel’s 10-minute chat with Runoffs pitlane reporter Heyward Wagner, the duo discussed everything from the future of the automobile hobby, the release of Hagerty’s Never Stop Driving book, the Hagerty Driver’s Club, and even the company’s partnership with ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv®.

“Our business, at its core, is all about passion,“ McKeel stated. “It’s about the passion for the car, and it’s about the passion for driving, it’s about the passion for getting out there and enjoying things. And I cannot think of a single organization in the United States that exemplifies that more than the ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv.”

Check out the full interview with Runoffs Grand Marshal McKeel Hagerty below.

Photo: McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, being interviewed at the ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû51xxtv National Championship Runoffs.