05/19/26 10:10:00
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05/19 10:08 CDT Caitlin Clark has been named the Indianapolis 500 grand marshal
Caitlin Clark has been named the Indianapolis 500 grand marshal
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) --- Caitlin Clark is finally going to the Indianapolis 500
and she'll do it in style --- giving the starting command before Sunday's
sold-out race.
Race organizers announced Tuesday they had chosen the two-time WNBA All-Star as
this year's grand marshal. Her basketball schedule had prevented the former
Iowa star from previously participating in race week activities.
Last May, the Fever played a home game the day before a rare Indianapolis
500-Indiana Pacers race day doubleheader. They also played on race weekend
during her rookie season in 2024. This week, though, they host the expansion
Portland Fire on Wednesday and Golden State on Friday before getting a six-day
break.
"I'm honored to represent Gainbridge as grand marshal of the Indy 500," Clark
said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to experiencing an iconic piece of
what makes Indiana so special and being part of the time-honored tradition of
?The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'"
The Indiana Fever star has helped push women's basketball to new heights in
both the college and professional ranks, routinely attracting sellout crowds
and prompting some opponents to move games to larger venues.
Clark was the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick in 2024 and earned the league's Rookie of
the Year Award that season, breaking multiple records including the WNBA's
single season assists mark. She's also the NCAA's career scoring leader and
recently became the first player in WNBA history to record a second
double-double with 30 or more points and 10 or more assists.
Earlier this year, Clark also was selected MVP of the 2026 FIBA World Cup
Qualifying Tournament as she returned from an injury-plagued second pro season.
She joins a long list of celebrities who have given the starting command at the
Brickyard. Among those are former baseball stars Derek Jeter and Alex
Rodriguez, award-winning singer Blake Shelton, actor Dylan Sprouse and actor
Stephanie Beatriz.
"Since being drafted by the Fever, fans have been clamoring to share the epic
celebration and thrilling excitement of Indy 500 race day with Caitlin,"
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said. "Caitlin will bring
unique energy and presence to a quintessentially Hoosier experience and an
absolutely bucket list global sporting spectacle."
Clark has been a brand ambassador for Gainbridge, a race sponsor that also
holds naming rights to the home arena of the Fever, since her senior year in
college. She's currently appearing in a second ad campaign with the company.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
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