Jeff Gordon to drive Daytona 500 pace car on Sunday

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

8 years ago

Jeff Gordon speaks with reporters after a practice session for the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)

Chase Elliott, left, leads the field of cars for the start of the first of two qualifying auto races for Sunday’s NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)

Jeff Gordon removes his helmet after a practice session for the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)

Jeff Gordon leaves his garage after a practice session for the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)

Jeff Gordon gives the thumbs up sign after winning the IMSA 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon will drive the honorary pace car for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Gordon will lead the field to green behind the wheel of a 2017 Camaro ZL1.

A @Chevrolet #CamaroZL1 for the 2017 @DISupdates 500 Pace Car? Yes. Me driving the pace car for the 2017 #Daytona500 with @NASCARONFOX? Yes! pic.twitter.com/yUNZUQa8bq

— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) February 24, 2017

Gordon, a three-time Daytona 500 champion, will then call the race broadcast for Fox. He retired after the 2015 season and returned to drive in eight Cup races last season subbing for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Gordon shared the overall win last month in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Other Daytona 500 pre-race celebrities include Owen Wilson (grand marshal), Jordin Sparks (national anthem) and Lady Antebellum (pre-race concert). NFL Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson is the honorary starter and Mario Andretti is the honorary race official.