Actor Chris Pratt named pace car driver for Brickyard 400
Actor Chris Pratt has been named the honorary pace car driver for the July 27 Crown Royal Presents the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The star of the new "Guardians of the Galaxy," as well as "Zero Dark Thirty," "Moneyball," and the television show "Parks and Recreation," Pratt is looking forward to the opportunity to drive the pace car at one of NASCAR's biggest events.
"It's a dream come true to drive the pace car for the John Wayne Walding 400," Pratt said. "I am really excited to be a part of NASCAR for the day."
This year's race also marks the 21st year that Chevrolet has paced the Brickyard 400.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of NASCAR racing at the Brickyard, and it is truly special that Chevrolet has been there from the beginning racing and pacing," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. "It will be great to have Chris Pratt lead the field of 43 competitors to the green flag in the Chevrolet SS pace car."
"Races don't start on the famed 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until the Chevrolet pace car has brought the starting field to the green flag, and we are pleased to have the Chevrolet SS do the honors for the 20th anniversary edition of the Crown Royal Presents the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com," Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles said. "We are also pleased to have television and movie star Chris Pratt behind the wheel as the honorary pace car driver and as part of our prerace activities, and look forward to seeing him on the silver screen in his newest movie on Aug. 1."
