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.
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
Medical insurance fund remains strong, despite aging population
PICTURED: Best friends who died alongside student while 'doing high
Artemi Panarin scores 49th goal as Rangers beat Senators 4
Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle
Raymond scores late in 3rd and OT to keep Red Wings playoffs alive with 5
TJ Maxx job applicant really wants to to work at the store
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
Russia detains 3 more suspects involved in Moscow terror attack
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Chinese vice president meets Cambodian King, Queen Mother