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.