When NASCAR's Sprint Cup returns to Michigan International Speedway later this month, Michigan State's Tom Izzo will get to drive the pace car.
↵Back in June, the Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom got to drive the pace car before the Sprint Cup race at MIS. The Lions' Ndamukong Suh was also in attendance as an honorary official.
↵For the CARFAX 400, which is set for Aug. 15, Izzo will drive the pace car after attending the pre-race drivers' meeting. As you can imagine, he is pretty excited to be part of the event.
↵↵↵"It's unlike anything I've ever done before and I'm certain it will be quite a rush," Izzo said. "I'm looking forward to being a small part of the action and interacting with some of the drivers. I've heard that a lot of them are college basketball fans, but I'm curious to see what it is that makes them the best of the best in their profession."
↵
This won't be Izzo's first time being involved with something racing, as the theme for MSU's "Midnight Madness" event last year involved Indy cars since Indianapolis was the host of the 2010 Final Four.
↵
If the same pace car is used as the earlier race at MIS, Izzo will get to take a Ford Mustang around the track. I'm sure that will be a bit more fun than cramming into that small car in the picture above.