“Guardians of the Galaxy” Star Chris Pratt to Pace NASCAR Brickyard Race

Jul 22, 2014 12:14 PM EDT | Matt Mercuro

General Motors has announced that actor Chris Pratt will serve as honorary pace car driver in a 2014 a 2014 red and silver Chevrolet SS pace car for the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com.

The race will take place on Sunday, July 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"It's a dream come true to drive the pace car for the John Wayne Walding 400," said Pratt, the star of the soon-to-be-released movie 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' I am really excited to be part of NASCAR for the day."

Chevrolet has served as the pace car for every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held at the track dating back to 1994.

The SS will become Chevrolet's first V-8 rear-wheel-drive performance sedan since 1996, according to the automaker.

"Races don't start on the famed 2.5 mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until the Chevrolet pace car has brought the starting field to the green flag, and we are pleased to have the Chevrolet SS do the honors for the 20th anniversary edition of the Crown Royal Presents the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, according to the automaker. "We are also pleased to have television and movie star Chris Pratt behind the wheel as the honorary pace car driver and as part of our pre-race activities - and look forward to seeing him on the silver screen in his newest movie on August 1st."

The vehicle is powered by the LS3 Chevrolet V-8, which helps it deliver 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.

It is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually using TAPshift paddles.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of NASCAR racing at the Brickyard, and it is truly special that Chevrolet has been there from the beginning racing and pacing," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, according to the automaker. "It will be great to have Chris Pratt lead the field of 43 competitors to the green flag in the Chevrolet SS pace car."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, The Crown Royal Presents the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com, will start at 1 p.m. EDT on ESPN.

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