Fans gathered yesterday for a lunchtime Indy 500 "Kickoff" gathering on Monument Circle in the center of Downtown Indianapolis.
On hand, the Indianapolis Star reports, were some of the 500 Festival Princesses, Chevrolet Corvettes similar to this year's pace car and music by local band Ribs and Bones.
Elsewhere, the speedway announced that actor (and race-team) co-owner Patrick Dempsey of Grey's Anatomy will drive the pace car at this year's Indianapolis 500 on May 27.
The Lewiston, Maine, native has portrayed Dr. Derek Shepherd on the show since 2005. He is also a co-owner of Indianapolis 500 team Vision Racing.
Dempsey drives in off-road events and sports car races for Hyper Sport Racing. The actor finished a career-best fifth on April 15 in the Koni Challenge Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"During recent years, [Patrick Dempsey] has developed a strong bond with racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," Joie Chitwood, IMS president and chief operating officer, said in a statement today.
"He truly understands and appreciates the pageantry, prestige and tradition [of auto racing]."
Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager, said Dempsey is qualified to drive the pace car, which like regular production models comes with 400 horsepower and a top speed of 186 mph.
"He is known as a dedicated car and racing enthusiast," Peper said. "Being accustomed to high-performance cars and racetracks, he's a great candidate to drive the Pace Car."
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6 Comments
May 2nd, 2007 12:46 PM
Good for him - I'm sure it's a big honor for him.
May 2nd, 2007 2:04 PM
that is one hell of a dangerous game!!
May 2nd, 2007 5:12 PM
COOL!!!!!
May 2nd, 2007 5:33 PM
Can't wait, Can't wait!!!!! A woman that I work with said she can get us a GREAT spot for the parade.....and of COURSE, we're going to the race! I still can't believe that the year I move here is the year PD drives the pace car.....
May 2nd, 2007 6:21 PM
I would love to be at a race that he was taking part in! I'm sure he will visit with the crowd while he is there! He always seems to be so good about that! Taking pictures and signing autographs! OMGosh, if I got the chance to meet him, that would be a dream come true!
May 2nd, 2007 8:50 PM
hehe i'm going to this with my father!! we're getting awesome seats too.... yayyyyyy!! i hope i get a picture/autograph.. something!