“Gentlemen, start your engines!”

Famous words soon to be uttered by … Michelle Obama?

Yep. The NASCAR season is coming to an end, and first lady Michelle Obama will help preside over its final race of 2011 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20. She and Dr. Jill Biden, as part of their efforts through Joining Forces — a group that helps military families — will serve as grand marshals at the championship Chase for the Sprint Cup finale, the Ford 400.

In a statement, the White House says: “As part of the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship race, NASCAR will rally its millions of fans at the speedway and online to serve military families through the holiday season by asking them to visit www.NASCAR.com/Unites and JoiningForces.gov to find service opportunities and ideas to give back to those who serve our country.”

Generally, Michelle Obama’s name has not been connected to NASCAR, but the first lady’s work for military families ties in nicely with the event.

And of course, as a nice added bonus, Florida is kind of important in 2012 politics.

– Jake Tapper