Granted, the choices made for Indianapolis 500 pace car drivers over the years have been all over the place.
From the who-can-argue-with-that choices of Gen. Colin Powell and Lance Armstrong to the shameless media pandering of last year's Robin Roberts, from the star-power picks of Patrick Dempsey and Morgan Freeman to the "huh?" choices of Elaine Irwin Mellencamp and Josh Duhamel (bet you have to do a Google search to place that name), you couldn't find a more ecclectic group anywhere this side of reality TV.
Which brings us to Donald Trump.
Trump has been named driver of the 2011 pace car for this year's race, another victory for the shameless self-promoter.
And this isn't just any Indy 500. It's the 100th anniversary race.
Rather than give more ink to Trump, I submit for your approval a short list of people who would have been better choices to take the honory lap.
1. Just about anyone.
Your thoughts? Are you happier than I am with the choice of Trump? Who would you rather see given this uniquely Indy honor?
Back to Top
IBJ Conversations
37 Comments
Add Comment
2. Just about anyone else Lou might have accidentally not considered in #1.
This choice can't be categorized as hip nor even mildly interesting. It's downright lame. On the 100th anniversary there are so many options that could better honor the tradition of the 500. There are so many legendary drivers still with us, so many still connected to the golden years of the Speedway.
Those in charge should be pulling out all the stops for this year's festivities. This choice doesn't bode well for what we might see. Is Justin Bieber the heir apparent to Jim Neighbors?
Racing is a sport and, whether we want to admit it, its currency is speed, daring and danger. For nearly a century, or at least until IndyCar adopted uniform specs, the heady mix of technology and speed drew characters with guts the public could identify with and paid to see in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
You could look just about anywhere in Gasoline Alley then to find the genesis of this spectacle. Now, sadly, marketers sitting around a conference table breathing musty air nod at each other as they choose Donald Trump in yet another vain attempt to draw attention to the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. I don't know which is more bankrupt, Indyman: Trump or the Speedway's marketing plan.
I say take off the spec-racing shackles, allow creative engineers and wrenches to dream big, and then put their creations into the hands of talented drivers who dare to go fast. Sure, it'll cost a few more bucks, but pretty soon somebody's gonna realize you can't cut your way to prosperity. Invest and people will again beat a path to the Speedway and all that associates with it.
Pathetic.
Donald with a helmet on that precious comb-over - O-M-G!!
Randy B. came from the Rodeo Circuit to head the Indy Racing League. The Donald is a rodeo clown at best. They should have gone back into Indy history to find someone who better represents the 100 years of racing at the brickyard.
I can only imagine how the New York media will note that the great Donald traveled out to be with the "yahoos" of Indianapolis and its surrounding cornfields.
Someone ought to say, "You're Fired," about this decision.
Find out who made this decision and shun them.
Randy, here's your out. Make Donald take a physical and flunk him. Then go out, be true to this incredible century of racing and select a former 500 winner as your pace car driver. We true race fans who've been to the Indy 500 since back when you were roping steers would respect and appreciate this correct gesture of recognition.
Personally, I'd like to see Mario in a 2nd pace car breaking down in turn 3 to start the race.
I am writing to express my dismay at your choice for this year's Indy 500 Pace Car Driver.
This year I'll be traveling over 2000 miles to attend the race, as I do every year. I will be spending thousands of dollars on flights, tickets, meals, and accommodations.
Shouldn't the position of Pace Car Driver be an honor granted to someone of exceptional character, honor, or distinction? Could it not be, at least, a former driver who'd risked his/her life in years past for our thrills?
When it comes to personal attributes, Donald J. Trump possesses none of these qualities. His many notable accomplishments include multiple bankruptcies, serial marriage, and awful television appearances. One would be hard-pressed to find someone whose life better exemplified the sad truism: "there's a sucker born every minute."
To be be blunt, the choosing of such a buffoon calls into question the judgement of the executive management at Indycar. Wasn't there an astronaut, scientist, or heroic fireman available? Does every single aspect of the race have to have to be cynically based on how much publicity will be generated?
If so, perhaps I can provide a suggestion to the PR department for this year's trackside television coverage: have an "inside look" at the technology used to keep Mr. Trump's hairpiece in place as he speeds around the track, leading the field to the green in what used to be called "The Greatest Spectacle In RACING."
paragon of decay. Let him pace the race.
Nothing new around here. Shameless people
everywhere.
http://indymotorspeedway.com/500pace.htm