Boudia to Serve as Air Race Grand Marshal

(photo courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Olympic gold medalist diver David Boudia has been named the grand marshal of next month’s Red Bull Air Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Noblesville native will give the first-ever "pilots to your planes" command in IMS history.

In addition to the command, Boudia will take a ride with a Red Bull Air Race Challenger Cup pilot on race day. He says he is excited to serve in the role for the inaugural race.

"Planes taking off and landing at the Speedway will be a pretty awesome sight to see," said Boudia. "Just like Olympic athletes, I know these pilots train hard and will be ready to put on a fast and competitive race for fans."

Boudia won silver and bronze medals at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He also won gold and bronze medals in the London Olympics in 2012.

Competitors in the Red Bull Air Race will navigate an aerial racetrack with the goal of completing the circuit in the fastest time with the fewest penalties. When the race was announced in December, IMS President Doug Boles said he believes the event will an attraction in the market for a long time.