INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
Griffey has attended “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in his second career as a photographer, but now his job will be much more visible. He’ll be behind the wheel of the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray that brings the field of 33 cars — led by record-setting pole sitter Scott McLaughlin — to the green flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Driving the Pace Car and leading the field to start the Indy 500 is one of the coolest experiences,” Griffey said Monday. “I came to the track a few years ago as a photographer and look forward to seeing the race from a different perspective.”
The pace car driver has been a coveted job among athletes, actors and other celebrities since the 1970s, when actor James Garner and singer Marty Robbins handled it. Others that have driven the car include Jay Leno, Morgan Freeman and Patrick Dempsey and, in more recent years, NBA players Victor Oladipo and Tyrese Haliburton.
Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
Dive team finds bodies of 2 men dead inside plane in Alaska lake
The Senate filibuster is a hurdle to any national abortion bill. Democrats are campaigning on it
Man arrested and charged for punching actor Steve Buscemi in NYC
Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle
Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. sued by apparel manufacturer Fanatics for breach of contract
OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are in the Knicks' starting lineup for Game 7 against the Pacers
Kristen Faulkner bounces back from time trial disappointment to win US cycling road race title
NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 98
Paul McCartney song starts Paralympics on 100