April 6, 2011
(Getty Images/Michael Loccisano)
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Hell has officially frozen over now that Donald J. Trump has been named to drive the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Pace Car to start the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "It's a great honor to be selected as the Pace Car driver for such an American institution as the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500," Trump said. "The Indianapolis 500 has been the gold standard of motorsports for a century, and I can't wait to get behind the wheel of the Camaro and bring the famous field of 33 drivers to the green flag." In its press release The Speedway says that "Trump is the very definition of the American success story. He has set new standards of excellence while expanding his interests nationally and internationally, with personal involvement in every one of his ventures." Yes, and he has run myriad businesses into the ground too, whored himself out on that pitifully dreadful TV show, and attached his name to questionable money-grubbing ventures every step of the way. Hawking mattresses? Really? "We're thrilled to welcome Donald Trump as the driver of the Pace Car for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "He is an iconic American success story, a business leader without peer who is a fitting choice to bring the field for 'The Most Important Race in History' to the green flag." Uh-huh. When I think of someone being assigned the honor of driving the pace car of the single most important motor race in the world, I don't think of a glorified sleaze merchant who revels in his classless crassness at every turn and who conducts himself like the overblown boor that he is. No, I think of people like Gen. Chuck Yeager, General Colin Powell, Bob Lutz, Parnelli Jones, etc., etc. But Donald Frickin' Trump? Oh hell no. I thought the Speedway had officially lost it when they started calling the upcoming Indy "500" 'The Most Important Race in History.' That was bad enough. But this? Wow. Truly pathetic. - PMD
(burnsgroup)
Jim Downing, considered the father of IMSA Lights and co-inventor of the HANS Device, will be the Grand Marshal of the Speedfest at the Classic Motorsports Mitty race at Road Atlanta on April 29-May 1. Mazda is the featured marque of the Historic Sports Racing (HSR) 35th anniversary weekend of the event.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD
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