Caitlin Clark to attend Sunday's Indianapolis 500, serve as Grand Marshal
The Indiana Fever star will deliver the ceremonial command before Sunday’s race in front of more than 350,000 fans at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indiana sports fans and Indianapolis Motor Speedway alike are finally getting their wish.
Caitlin Clark will not only attend Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, but she will do so in an official capacity as Grand Marshal. It had been in the works for a while, but IMS made it official Tuesday morning.
“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.’”
As Grand Marshal, she will step to the microphone atop the Victory Podium — in front of more than 350,000 fans at IMS and millions more watching on Fox — and deliver the ceremonial command to the 33 drivers:
“Drivers, to your cars!”
She is scheduled to appear at 12:29 p.m. ET following the national anthem, which will be performed by Jordin Sparks.
Last year’s Grand Marshals were former Major League Baseball stars Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. In 2024, actor Dylan Sprouse served in the role.
Jim Cornelison will then sing “Back Home Again in Indiana!”
That’s followed by IMS Chairman Roger Penske giving the second command: “Drivers, start your engines!”
By 12:45 p.m. ET, the green flag will drop for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
It’s the world’s largest single-day sporting event.
Curt Cignetti, head coach of Indiana University’s undefeated national championship football team, will drive the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X pace car.
Clark has partnered with Gainbridge since her senior year at the University of Iowa. With the company serving as presenting sponsor of the race, of course they’d like to integrate her in any capacity she is willing.
“Indianapolis is at the center of what we do at Gainbridge,” said President Derek Towriss. “We’ve been the presenting partner of the Indy 500 since 2019, and Caitlin has been part of the Gainbridge family since before she was playing home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Having her as grand marshal pulls it all together.
“We invest in people and places we believe in for the long run. We do the same for our customers, helping people who work hard for their money put it to work for them. This is going to be a Race Day moment we’ll all remember.”
Gainbridge and parent company Group 1001 likes to put Clark in different sporting venues away from the basketball court. For the past two years, she has participated in The Annika Pro-Am in Belleair, Florida, and now she’ll be featured in front of one of the largest audiences in motorsports.
Clark knows a little something about speed and pushing the pace, too.
The scheduling simply hadn’t worked out during Clark’s first two seasons after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024.
This year, however, the Fever play at home Friday and then do not play again until the following Thursday. The team has already penciled in off days for this weekend.
That means Clark will be able to fully enjoy race day and experience the event firsthand. After her official duties conclude, she’ll likely take in the race from the Gainbridge suite at the top of Pagoda, offering one of the best views at IMS.
“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,” said Doug Boles, President of IndyCar and IMS.
“Caitlin will bring unique energy and presence to a quintessentially Hoosier experience and an absolutely bucket list global sporting spectacle.”
Indiana sports fans are getting a full Pacers & Racers & Fever weekend.
On Saturday, Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam will serve as Grand Marshals for the annual 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis.
One year ago, several members of the Fever visited IMS for the first time and head coach Stephanie White waved the green flag during a practice session.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” White said of Clark’s opportunity. “To experience that, as the Grand Marshal, is one of the highest honors you can get in the state of Indiana.”
Clark, Indiana’s biggest sports star, has taken over basketball arenas nationwide. On Sunday, she’ll command the attention of the racing world, too.