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.
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Listen up: Northland to test tsunami sirens
LIZ JONES: Kate's strength has made me ashamed. And there's one self
Isla Phillips: The little royal and great
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
'The King and Prince William now face a serious problem'
'Catherine is thrilled by the kind wishes and support': Camilla thanks well
Oscars 2024: The Biggest Moments from the 96th Academy Awards
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
US House passes controversial surveillance bill on 4th attempt
Yvette Fielding says her Most Haunted co
What would open warfare between Israel and Iran look like? How tit