Oscar Winners to Wave Green Flag at Indy 500

(photos courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

A pair of Academy Award-winning actors will wave the green flag at this year’s Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced Matt Damon and Christian Bale will serve as honorary starters for 103rd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

The actors are the stars of the upcoming film "FORD v FERRARI," which will be released in November. Both Damon and Bale will take part in a press conference the day before the race at IMS to talk about the film and their roles as honorary starters.

"The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day sporting event on Earth, so it’s fitting that global icons Matt Damon and Christian Bale will be in the flag stand on May 26 to send the field of 33 cars charging toward Turn 1," IMS President Doug Boles said in a news release. "Matt and Christian are used to performing in the brightest spotlight so we know they will enjoy this special role at the world’s greatest race."

The announcement adds to what a growing star-studded lineup for this year’s Indy 500. Earlier this week, IMS announced Kelly Clarkson will return to the speedway to sing the National Anthem. 

The 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place May 26.