Donald Trump to drive Indy 500 Pace Car

[call_me_andrew]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110405/..._indy500_trump

The Donald is driving a convertible! Get ready for more of this:

[youtube]35vyxbiWIn4[/youtube]

[garyshell]

Except he will be wearing a helmet. My hope is in practice he spins the car out and doesn't have the balls to get back in it. What a tool. Why the hell is he in the car and not a former driver? This is the 100th anniversary. What does this blowhard jerk have to do with the 100th Anniversary?

Gary

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Even Gordon Ramsay would have been a better option. (He'll be the grand marshall at Long Beach.) He is a worldwide celebrity and a very cool guy. Who's this Donald Trump anyway? Reading the Wikipedia article, I cannot fathom why he was chosen by IMS. A rich business magnate who keeps going about Obama's birth status and wants to run for president? Are really businesspeople and politicians are the type of celebrities people want to see? Is there such a thing as a pace car ride buyer?

[Chris R]

I second both of the above threads.... that the driver is not Foyt, Mears or Unser Sr. is a disgrace

[NickFalzone]

I like Trump and agree with this politics. As far as driving the 500 pace car, it doesn't bother me any more than having guys like Mark Wahlberg or other celebrities out there doing the same thing. As a possible Presidential candidate, I think it might add some more attention to the 500 this year. I like the idea of Foyt or Mears doing it, but they're at nearly every race anyway, it's not like bringing them out of retirement to show up for the 500.

[Mightyreds]

Is there any more meaningless position than pace car driver. Whatever gets the most publicity is the only relevant factor.

[Chris R]

Ask the 1972(73??) folks who were run over by the pace car about the importance of having someone with a clue behind the wheel... (although fundamentally, I agree with you - I just think this one is a little over the top though - especially for the centennial year race - it should be a racer (or someone who is important to/interested in racing in there at least this year...) Put Letterman or Jay Leno out there if you want star appeal at least they are car guys.....

[DBell]

The racer in me would like Foyt, but I understand that trying to get celebrity gives publicity opportunities and the sport needs to take advantage of any they can get. But Trump? I don't see what this guy really adds in star power. Many like him, but just as many think he's a buffoon. I like the idea of Leno or Letterman. They would talk about it all the time on their nightly shows and both really do enjoy racing and cars.

If they are going to go this way, then maybe Randy could really score a coup. Get President Obama at Indy and he could tape a copy of his birth certificate to a pit board and show it to Trump as he drives by. mokin:

[NickFalzone]

The racer in me would like Foyt, but I understand that trying to get celebrity gives publicity opportunities and the sport needs to take advantage of any they can get. But Trump? I don't see what this guy really adds in star power. Many like him, but just as many think he's a buffoon. I like the idea of Leno or Letterman. They would talk about it all the time on their nightly shows and both really do enjoy racing and cars.

If they are going to go this way, then maybe Randy could really score a coup. Get President Obama at Indy and he could tape a copy of his birth certificate to a pit board and show it to Trump as he drives by. mokin:

Lol you mean the birth certificate he has yet to produce, and has spent over 2 million to fight in lawsuits for not providing it? Honestly I wouldn't even care, but for the fact that he's sucked so much as a President and maybe this could kick his butt out early.

[call_me_andrew]

Lol you mean the birth certificate he has yet to produce, and has spent over 2 million to fight in lawsuits for not providing it?

He means this one. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2...n_the_usa.html

Ask the 1972(73??) folks who were run over by the pace car about the importance of having someone with a clue behind the wheel... (although fundamentally, I agree with you - I just think this one is a little over the top though - especially for the centennial year race - it should be a racer (or someone who is important to/interested in racing in there at least this year...) Put Letterman or Jay Leno out there if you want star appeal at least they are car guys.....

I agree that the 500's pace car driver should be a celebrity, but it's important that the driver has some competence.

Also I'm still pissed at Leno over that Conan fiasco.