The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is shaping up to be more than just a race. It’s something bigger and grander this year that might turn into a full-blown cultural event. With IndyCar’s media rights making a high-profile switch from NBC to Fox starting in 2025, the series is pulling out all the stops to elevate the spectacle. Something on par with the Super Bowl or World Series. The first step? Bring out someone like Derek Jeter to the scene!

Well, this year’s edition is already drawing unprecedented attention, and the buzz is only growing. Adding to the star power, two of the biggest names in sports, NFL legend Tom Brady and MLB icon Derek Jeter, are set to attend Sunday’s race. So, that brings a crossover appeal and a spotlight that extends far beyond the motorsport world.

The latest Instagram story of Jeter offers an amalgamation of some of the sporting greats at the event. Jeter and Brady are joined by another NFL legend Rob Gronkowski, 3x IndyCar Champ Alex Palou and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.

According to reports, Brady will take a high-speed thrill ride in the two-seater before the race begins. Additionally, Strahan will take the wheel of a pace car, leading the 33-car field to the green flag. And that flag? It’ll be waved by none other than Jeter, signaling the start of a race that’s as much about spectacle as it is about speed.

With marquee names from across the sports world converging on Daytona, the 2024 Indy 500 is poised to deliver not just high-octane racing, but a moment that resonates across the entire sports landscape.

Fans surely feel excited seeing players cross into different sports. They have seen Brady in the square, but on a racetrack? Well, Brady loves speed. He owns a team in the E1 World Championship, an all-electric boat racing league!

Similarly, the fans are accustomed to seeing the towering homers and clutch plays from Jeter. But how does it feel to see him in full riding gear? Hopefully, we will witness Jeter make some smoke on the tarmac!

While the Indy 500 might be the very first racing event which Jeter is actively part of, he is no stranger to racing in general. The Yankees legend does love cars! Remember his 2014 Ford Mustang GT Convertible?

However, if you think Jeter is the first from MLB actively representing in the Indy 500, that’s not the case. The crossover goes a long way back.

The connection between MLB and the Indy 500 goes beyond Jeter

While there is no official tie-up between MLB and the Indy 500, it hasn’t stopped the players and fans from embracing both. Remember the Mariners’ slugger, Ken Griffey Jr? The Baseball Hall of Famer served as the honorary pace car driver for the 108th Indianapolis 500. He led the field in a 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray!

So, Jeter is not the first MLB marquee opening the race! And while the players are actively promoting the race, why would the fans be left behind?

The excitement surrounding the Indy 500 is also being seen in MLB games. Notably, during a divisional game on Saturday between the Orioles and Red Sox, a fan celebrated a home run by pouring milk over themselves. That was a nod to the traditional milk celebration by Indy 500 winners.

A similar scene occurred at Citi Field following a Mets victory over the Dodgers. These instances highlight the Indy 500’s broad appeal and its ability to inspire creative expressions of fandom across different sports arenas.

The Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pirates, have embraced the city’s racing heritage by hosting Indy 500 Night at Victory Field. This annual event features racing-themed in-game entertainment. And fans had the opportunity to bid on specialty jerseys. 

So, while the connection between MLB and the Indy 500 has always been there, it just got amplified this time. This Sunday, we will witness a grand crossover between America’s favorite pastime and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Are you excited?