RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will drive the pace car before Saturday night's NASCAR race at Richmond.

Richmond International Raceway made the announcement Wednesday, and says it happened with some help from Twitter.

The track says NASCAR driver and devout Redskins fan Dale Earnhardt Jr. got the ball rolling in late March when he tweeted to Griffin about being Grand Marshal for the race. Track President Dennis Bickmeier chimed in on Twitter, telling Griffin he'd love to have him drive the pace car instead.

The following Monday, RIR officials reached out to the Redskins, and plans were finalized.

Griffin is scheduled to lead the field around for three parade laps on the 0.75-mile oval, and then to the start of the 400-lap race.