The Walking Dead’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Drive the Corvette Pace Car at the Indy 500

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays the bad guy known as “Negan” on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” TV show, has officially been tapped to drive the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car at the 101st Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.

Morgan has received accolades for his performance in The Walking Dead, earning the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series as well as the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Villain in 2017.

“We’re honored to welcome Jeffrey Dean Morgan to IMS to drive the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “He’s used to playing the ultimate villain in ‘The Walking Dead,’ but he’ll be an envied hero to millions of race fans around the world when he gets to lead the field to the green flag of the 101st Indianapolis 500 in such a beautiful Corvette.”

Morgan has also appeared in more than 25 movies including “The Watchman”, “Batman v. Superman”, “The Losers” and “Desierto” to name a few.

Interestingly, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is the second actor from the ABC TV show “Grey’s Anatomy” to drive a Corvette Pace Car at the Indianapolis 500, following in the footsteps of Patrick Dempsey who paced the field in 2007.

The Corvette Grand Sport that will be driven by Morgan is powered by the 460-horsepower LT1 and features the Z07 performance package. In addition to the Arctic White Exterior with the Blue stripe and Red/Blue livery, the Indy 500 Pace Car also features some unique touches like the red striping on the aero bits and the body color rear spoiler.

This is the 14th time that a Corvette has paced the Indianapolis 500, the most of any car.

Source:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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