INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark is finally going to the Indianapolis 500 and she’ll do it in style — giving the starting command before Sunday’s sold-out race.
Race organizers announced Tuesday they had chosen the two-time WNBA All-Star as this year’s grand marshal. Her basketball schedule had prevented the former Iowa star from previously participating in race week activities.
Last May, the Fever played a home game the day before a rare Indianapolis 500-Indiana Pacers race day doubleheader. They also played on race weekend during her rookie season in 2024. This week, though, they host the expansion Portland Fire on Wednesday and Golden State on Friday before getting a six-day break.
“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.’”
The Indiana Fever star has helped push women’s basketball to new heights in both the college and professional ranks, routinely attracting sellout crowds and prompting some opponents to move games to larger venues.
