“Drivers, to your cars!”
In just her third year in the Indianapolis area as part of the Indiana Fever, former Iowa women’s basketball legend Caitlin Clark has been chosen as the grand marshal for the 110th edition of the Indianapolis 500, which will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24.
Clark and the Fever’s schedule sets up well for the Indiana superstar to serve as grand marshal. After Friday’s home date against Golden State, the Fever don’t play again until the following Thursday when Indiana travels to Golden State on May 28.
“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.
When asked about Clark’s title as grand marshal, Fever head coach Stephanie White said the honor is among the most prestigious in the state.
“I’m not sure if she’s been yet or not, but to experience that as the grand marshal, it’s one of the highest honors you can get in the state of Indiana,” White said.
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 Division I all-time leading scorer 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.
Clark’s appearance will be featured during the pre-race ceremony airing live on FOX starting Sunday at 9 a.m. CT. She will give the command for drivers to get to their cars at 11:38 a.m., and the green flag, signaling the start of the race, will be waved at 11:45 a.m.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Fever star Caitlin Clark named Indianapolis 500 grand marshal
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
