Caitlin Clark grand marshal; Zedd to perform

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will be part of the pre-race ceremony at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway naming her grand marshal for the 110th running of the race. The speedway said Clark also will deliver the traditional command for drivers to start their engines before the field rolls off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. FOX Sports, which is carrying the race, said Grammy-winning DJ Zedd is part of the race-day entertainment lineup, alongside Crankdat. Jordin Sparks is set to sing the national anthem, and Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti is scheduled to drive the honorary pace car. ### Why is Caitlin Clark part of the Indy 500 ceremony? Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced on May 19 that Clark will serve as grand marshal for the May 24 race. The track described Clark as a Gainbridge brand ambassador and said she would take part in race-day ceremonies tied to the Indianapolis 500. Clark is one of the highest-profile athletes in Indiana sports, playing for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) The speedway’s announcement linked her role directly to Sunday’s event and said she would be on hand for what it called an “epic Race Day experience.” ### What exactly will Clark do on race day? FOX Sports’ event guide said Clark will give the command for drivers to start their engines. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) That role places her at one of the most recognizable ceremonial moments before the race begins. Sunday’s race is the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Indianapolis Motor Speedway said the event is scheduled for May 24, and FOX Sports said the green flag is approximately set for 12:45 p.m. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) ET after pre-race coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET. ### Who else is part of the pre-race lineup? Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem, according to race organizers and an Associated Press report carried by FOX Sports. (foxsports.com) The report said Sparks also performed the anthem before the 2015 and 2024 races. FOX Sports said Zedd will perform on race day, with Crankdat also listed in the entertainment lineup. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) In the same guide, FOX identified the honorary pace car as a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. ### What is Curt Cignetti’s role? Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car before the field takes the green flag, FOX Sports reported. FOX described Cignetti as Indiana’s national champion football coach in a separate report on his selection for the role. (foxsports.com) The honorary pace-car assignment adds another Indiana sports figure to the ceremony around the race. (foxsports.com) With Clark and Cignetti both in pre-race roles, the speedway and broadcaster have tied this year’s pageantry closely to prominent names from the state’s sports landscape, according to their announcements. ### When and where is the race? (foxsports.com) The Indianapolis 500 will be held Sunday, May 24, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. FOX Sports said pre-race coverage starts at 10 a.m. ET, with the green flag approximately set for 12:45 p.m. ET. Alex Palou enters the race weekend as the defending Indianapolis 500 winner, FOX Sports said in its event guide. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) Sunday’s ceremony will place Clark, Sparks, Zedd, Crankdat and Cignetti in the pre-race program before the 33-driver field takes the track. (foxsports.com)