DESIGN NOTE: Run as sidebar to MID-OHIO STORY
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has selected current Ohio State tight end and Lexington High School graduate Cade Stover as honorary grand marshal of next weekend’s Honda Indy 200 on Sunday, July 3.
As grand marshal, Stover will announce the most famous words in racing, "Drivers, start your engines," as well as participate in other pre-race ceremonies for the 80-lap NTT Indycar Series race at Mid-Ohio. The race will be broadcast globally with live coverage nationally starting at 12:30 p.m. on NBC.
Stover returns to his hometown of Lexington after impressive high school football and basketball careers. As a senior, he was named Ohio’s Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year. Stover also set the all-time scoring record in basketball at Lexington High School. He is represented by NIL Management and will return to the gridiron this fall at Ohio State as a junior tight end.
"It’s such a great opportunity and an honor to be a part of this great race and tradition in my hometown," Stover said. "As someone who grew up here, I know how much Mid-Ohio means to our community, so I’m really excited to be part of the action on race day.
Jim Keller, executive vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, will also occupy an honorary position. Keller will serve as the honorary starter waving the green flag to start the NTT Indycar Series race.
"We are really proud to have both Cade Stover and Jim Keller at the track and serving in these roles," said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. "We’re honored that Cade has agreed to come home and be part of this great event and wish him continued success on the field. On behalf of Honda’s executive leadership, Jim Keller has played an integral role in the planning of this year’s event, so it is only fitting that he gets to start the race for us."
