Caitlin Clark named grand marshal at Indy

Caitlin Clark took a central pre-race role at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, serving as grand marshal for the 110th running at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indiana Fever guard had been announced for the job by the speedway on May 19, with IMS saying she would deliver the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars. Race day also opened with a grandstand sellout at the track, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and images published by IndyStar. Doug Boles, president of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also said the scoring pylon would be lit on Lap 18 in tribute to Kyle Busch. ### When was Clark named, and what does the grand marshal do? Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced on Tuesday, May 19, that Clark would serve as grand marshal for the 2026 race. IMS described Clark as a Gainbridge brand ambassador and said she would take part in pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, May 24. WTHR reported that Clark’s role included the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars. The appearance put one of Indianapolis’ highest-profile athletes at the center of the speedway’s biggest annual event. ### Why was Clark part of this year’s race-day program? Caitlin Clark plays for the Indiana Fever, and IMS tied her appearance to her visibility in Indiana sports and her relationship with Gainbridge. The speedway said in its May 19 announcement that Clark was “ready for an epic Race Day experience” on May 24. The Indianapolis 500 and the Fever share the same home market, and Clark’s appearance extended a crossover that has become common in Indianapolis around major sports events. The Big Lead reported Sunday that Clark was on site as race-day festivities got underway. ### What else did IMS announce before the race? Doug Boles said Indianapolis Motor Speedway would light the pylon on Lap 18 to honor Kyle Busch. WTHR and other race-day reports said the tribute referred to Busch’s No. 18, which he used from 2008 to 2022. Yahoo Sports reported Sunday that Busch was also recognized in other ways around the speedway, including memorial displays and team tributes. Boles said the Lap 18 moment would be part of the preplanned honors during the race-day program. ### How big was the crowd for the 110th running? Indianapolis Motor Speedway said before race day that the 2026 Indianapolis 500 had reached a grandstand sellout. In a May 19 notice urging fans to arrive early, IMS said public gates would open at 6 a.m. ET for what it called a “massive and historic” crowd. IndyStar published race-day images on May 24 showing packed stands and described the event as a sellout crowd for the 110th running. IMS had said expanded race coverage on FOX would begin at 10 a.m. ET, with the green flag scheduled for about 12:45 p.m. ET. ### What was happening on track as the ceremony unfolded? Alex Palou entered Sunday’s race from pole position as he sought a second straight Indianapolis 500 victory. FOX59 and other pre-race coverage identified Palou as the lead competitive storyline entering the day. Yahoo Sports later reported that the race was stopped by a red flag for rain on Lap 106, with Scott Dixon leading at the time. That update came after the pre-race ceremonies that included Clark’s appearance and the announced Lap 18 tribute. ### What comes next at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Sunday’s schedule put the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the center of Memorial Day weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. FOX carried the race live on May 24, and race-day coverage continued as officials managed weather interruptions and on-track tributes. IMS said fans could follow event updates through its race-day channels, while live coverage tracked the field after the scheduled green flag at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)