Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
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.
Related articles
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
Giovanni Pernice has been dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayl2024-05-21Mental health review to follow Sydney stabbing attack: Australian PM
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has flagged a national review of mental health policy in2024-05-21At least 9 dead, 15 missing after migrant boat sinks near Italy
At least nine people died and 15 remain missing on Thursday after a boat carrying migrants capsized2024-05-21China pledges constructive role in resolving Myanmar's Rakhine State crisis
A UN Security Council briefing on the situation of Rakhine State of Myanmar is held at the UN headqu2024-05-21Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
A cruise worker on board an Italian ship 'murdered her newborn son' as horrified co-workers raised t2024-05-21Chinese premier delivers keynote speech at China Development Forum 2024
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2024 and delive2024-05-21
atest comment