Caitlin Clark appointed grand marshal for 110th Indianapolis 500
The appointment coincides with a six-day break in the league schedule, allowing the rookie of the year to participate in traditions previously inaccessible due to game commitments.
Race officials announced Tuesday that Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been appointed grand marshal for the 110th Indianapolis 500, scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Clark will deliver the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars during the official pre-race ceremonies, marking a significant ceremonial role in what is widely regarded as the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event.
The timing of the appointment aligns with a six-day hiatus in the WNBA schedule, which has enabled Clark to participate in race-week activities that were previously precluded by game commitments. The Fever are currently in the midst of this break following a home fixture against the Golden State Valkyries on Friday. This scheduling alignment allows the Fever guard to engage with the event’s traditions, including the ceremonial start of the race, which is set to drop at 12:45 p.m. ET.
Clark serves as grand marshal in her capacity as an ambassador for Gainbridge, a financial services company she has represented since her senior year at the University of Iowa. The race is presented by Gainbridge, and the Fever play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a venue they share with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. J. Douglas Boles, president of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, highlighted the synergy between the partnership and Clark’s status as a major sporting figure, noting that her presence would bring unique energy to the Hoosier experience.
The green flag to commence the race will be waved by Academy Award-winning actor and Indianapolis native Brendan Fraser. The event will be broadcast on FOX. Previous grand marshals for the iconic race have included former Fever legend and 2012 WNBA champion Tamika Catchings, as well as sports luminaries such as Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, and Larry Bird.
Clark, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, has already established a prolific record in her third season. She won Rookie of the Year, setting the WNBA rookie record for total points scored in a single season, along with records for single-game assists (19) and single-season assists (322). Her collegiate career with the Iowa Hawkeyes saw her set the NCAA Division I career scoring record with 3,951 points. In an official statement, Clark expressed her honour to represent Gainbridge and her anticipation for participating in the time-honoured tradition of the event.
