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. |
Messi to Miami: Soccer star, and a few teammates, show up for HeatNew Mexico reaches record settlement over natural gas flaring in the Permian BasinCachin receives souvenir from Nadal after losing to the 22Horoscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOUAutistic schoolgirl, 16, took her own life at £44,000Belarus labels German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle ‘extremist,’ bans activities in the countryDeepfake of principal's voice is the latest case of AI being used for harmClosing prices for crude oil, gold and other commoditiesAstros promote 1B prospect Loperfido as Abreu's struggles continue for slumping teamIconic arch used as Iditarod finish line collapses in Alaska