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. |
Qinwang tunnel successfully drilled through in E ChinaInterview: Somalia seeks drought relief funding in worst humanitarian crisisChinese investment in Africa hits $1.8b in 1st half of 2023Wang: China willing to work for global peace and securityXi sends greetings to Malaysia's new kingThousands protest in Niger demanding withdrawal of U.S. troopsZhongguancun Forum builds platform for global sciHigh heat harms cocoa production in Cote d'IvoireChina Coast Guard stops four Philippine individuals from intruding into Huangyan IslandThousands protest in Niger demanding withdrawal of U.S. troops