Posted on 04/04/2006 1:35:38 PM PDT by Kimmers
Armstrong to drive Indy 500 pace car
Indianapolis, April 4, 2006 -- Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will pace the field this year at the 90th Indianapolis 500.
Armstrong, who was treated for cancer in Indianapolis before becoming a champion cyclist, will drive the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette to start the race on May 28.
"All I can say is that when we got the phone call to ask if I was interested in driving the Pace Car at Indy, it was a very short conversation," said Armstrong. "It was like: 'Are you kidding? Of course.' It is a huge honor and something that I am very excited to do. Hopefully I can not mess things up, if that's possible," Armstrong exclaimed.
Armstrong, 34, retired from competitive cycling after winning the 2005 Tour de France.
As the top cyclist in the world in 1996, Armstrong competed as a member of the U.S. Cycling Team in the Summer Olympic Games. Armstrong was forced off his bike because of cancer. He formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation within months of his diagnosis to help others with their cancer struggles.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Chief Operating Officer Joey Chitwood say the announcement is exciting. "The Hulman-George family and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff are honored that Lance Armstrong will pace the field for the start of 90th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
"Lance is a sports icon, and it's only fitting that he'll be driving another American icon on Race Day as he takes the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06."
Oh yes! I have a Lemans Blue 2005 C6 Vette and love it! :-)
Does it have pedals?............besides brake and clutch?......
I'm glad he and Cheryl split up.
Do we know why? I heard it was because she wanted a boyfriend who drove a car instead of a bicycle.............
When I saw the title, I thought perhaps Armstrong Williams would be driving the Pace Car this year.
LOL....I just hope he can drive a car he spends so much time on a bike
I saw in the news the other day that she has breast cancer. Sad news.
didn't know that, just thought the matchup of those two was odd...last year she was chasing Dale Earnhardt Jr...
If he is going into motor racing, start with a type where you only need to learn how to turn one direction at a time (left, for him, is natural, I hear)
I forgot about that....sweet car.....
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