HOFer Cal Ripken, Jr. Will Drive Daytona 500 Pace Car

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – (January 30, 2007) – Cal Ripken, Jr. whose drive marked a Hall of Fame baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles, will drive the pace car at next month's Daytona 500.

"Cal Ripken joins an outstanding list of celebrities who will be joining us at this year's Daytona 500," Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig said. NASCAR made the announcement on Tuesday, renewing its commitment to tap celebrities to fill ceremonial roles at "The Great American Race."

Ripken will drive the Chevrolet Corvette pace car that leads the field of 43 to the starting line for the 49th Daytona 500 on February 18.

"The Tonight Show" host and motorsports enthusiast Jay Leno drove the pace car last year. Actor Ben Affleck had the honors in 2004. This year's grand marshal is actor Nicolas Cage.

Ripken is baseball's iron man with a record of 2,632 consecutive games played and was elected to the Baseball HOF earlier this month with a landslide vote by sports writers. He joined the HOFMAG.com  team as a Hall Network  Member this year.

"The Daytona 500 is one of the most storied sporting events in the country and I am thrilled and honored to be a part of it," Ripken said. "NASCAR drivers are tremendous athletes and I look forward to being in that environment."

"NASCAR's most prestigious event has a history of attracting high-profile athletes and entertainers, and this year is no different."

Two-time Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson will perform in the Nextel Tribute To America during a pre-race concert and dance show.