Member LoginMember Login - User registration - Setup as front page - Add to favorites - Sitemap Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car !

Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car

Time:2024-05-21 14:58:06 source:Planet Pages news portal

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 information
  • A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it
  • Editor's Choice
  • Commentary: Overcoming zero
  • China’s advantage in green manufacturing is blessing for climate action
  • ‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
  • Abuse of force only makes bigger crises
  • China urges U.S., Japan, Philippines to stop undermining regional peace, stability
  • China, South Australia to deepen cooperation
Recommended content
  • Here comes the char
  • Abuse of force only makes bigger crises
  • Commentary: Washington should not treat Pacific Islands as its own backyard
  • Commentary: 2024 ushers in vibrant Chinese economy
  • Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
  • Interview: One artist, many instruments and a 'melting pot' of genres