INDY 500
Who is the Grand Marshal at the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Parade?
Sunday, 26 May sees the 108th edition of the world famous Indianapolis 500 with Josef Newgarden the reigning champion.
New Zealand’s Scott McLaughlin was the fastest driver in the qualification round staged last Sunday and will start on pole position on 26 May in the Indianapolis 500 in an all Team Penske front row along with Will Power and Josef Newgarden.
This will be the second time that Team Penske has achieved a front row hat trick at the celebrated Indianapolis race after completing a front trio back in 1988 with Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan and Al Unser all at the front of the grid with Mears eventually going onto win the race.
Another interesting feature of Sunday’s race is NASCAR Cup Series superstar Kyle Larson who is looking to complete an iconic double on Sunday, running as a rookie in his first Indy 500 before leaving for a 600-mile race in (coca Cola 600) Charlotte on Sunday night.
Indy 500 Parade Grand Marshall
The Indy 500 is steeped in tradition and every year, the AES 500 Festival Parade names a Grand Marshal with former nominees ranging from the President of the United States to military heroes – cartoon characters to Hollywood movie stars – racing legends to everyday heroes. The common theme amongst all Festival Parade Grand Marshals is that they are people who are driven to create change and be a voice for a noble cause.
This year’s Grand Marshall will be basketball legend and hall of famer Tamika Catchings who played for local WNBA team Indiana Fever from 2010 to 2016.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade Grand Marshal,” Catchings said in a statement. “To be able to showcase the achievements that I’ve worked so hard for is truly something special.”
Catchings was not only a great WNBA player and businesswoman, is also a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education and physical activity.