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. |
First Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange Opens in SW China's ChongqingCCTF Listed as National 5AParticipants of 2nd Forum on ChinaGirl, 6, Acts as Translator for Her Deaf Parents Doing Foot Spa BusinessFlame for Hangzhou Asian Para Games Lit in GuangzhouFirst Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange Opens in SW China's ChongqingLiubao Tea Industry Thriving in Wuzhou, S ChinaTraditional Skills Revitalized by Livestreaming in Remote TownsTraditional Ethnic Culture Emphasized on Campus in S China's GuangxiXinhua Headlines: Rescuers Battle Cold, Aftershocks to Help NW China Earthquake Victims