Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Donald Trump To Drive 500 Pace Car

Donald Trump, Photo by Getty Images
It's now official. Donald Trump will lead the field of 33 Indy car drivers to the first green lap as the Pace Car driver for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. The 2011 Chevy Camaro convertible has been chosen as the official Pace Car. “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 in a news release from the speedway. “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.”

The Speedway's decision to select Trump for this coveted honor in Gov. Mitch Daniels' backyard must have the Daniels' camp seething. Trump has indicated his inclination to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. He could draw money and supporters from a potential Daniels' presidential bid. Today's announcement comes on the heels of a new poll released for the nation's first primary election, New Hampshire, which shows Trump soaring ahead of all of his potential Republican rivals, except for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who had been expected to win the state in 2008 before John McCain pulled a big upset win over him. A Public Policy Polling poll shows Trump tailing Romney by only 6 points, 27 percent to 21 percent. Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee trailed far behind, tied for 12 percent each. All other contenders polled in single digits. 

5 comments:

Ellen said...

I guess it's official: the era of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's dominance in racing is over.

Donald Trump? What a joke!

varangianguard said...

Does anyone think they told him he has to wear a helmet?

Gary R. Welsh said...

I'm guessing he will be wearing a cap that day.

Jon E. Easter said...

As far as Trump driving the pace car, I think it's a great move by IMS. It will definitely bring lots of exposure to the race.

As far as Trump running for President, I hope he does. That ensures four more years for Barack Obama.

Unknown said...

This could be the tail end of an elaborate quid pro quo between Donald Trump and Mitch Daniels. It could be that the whole reason for the Trump 'campaign' is to set up Mitch for a Presidential run.

Think about it, the Donald will go far to the right, the crazy right. (When he really isn't that ignorant.) The public will begin to lose patience with the nonsense. Which sets the stage for a sensible candidate to come in and take the independent/center/right, thereby taking the nomination. Enter Mitch Daniels, riding in on his common sense horse. There have already been stories about Mitch being the 'only adult in the room.' The man that can put aside all the bickering and solve America's problem. I can hear it now.

Trump is there to take out the field. Mitch hides behind the media storm in Trump's wake. Much like Fred Thompson did for John McCain in 2000, to no avail. Think of it like drafting in racing.

Mitch gets the nomination and the Donald gets a boost in ratings and the cherry on top: a ride, in the pace car at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

Gentlemen start your engines...