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.
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Lebanese Christian leader says Hezbollah's fighting with Israel has harmed Lebanon
News organizations have trust issues as they gear up to cover another election, a poll finds
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
No need to guess: Mom knows best what she wants for Mother's Day
Kremlin parades Western equipment captured from Ukrainian army at Moscow exhibition
Inspirational fighting spirit of boy given a gift by King Charles: Eleven
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
Hurricanes' depth proves critical to secure 2nd
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah