Caitlin Clark has finally started to look like herself in the 2026 WNBA season after an injury limited her to just 13 games last year. The 6-foot guard is currently averaging 24.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game while once again proving why she remains one of the biggest stars in basketball. But this week, she has grabbed attention for something far bigger than just her performances on the court.

The Indiana Fever superstar was officially chosen as the grand marshal for the 110th edition of the Indianapolis 500, which will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24. While the honor itself says a lot about Clark’s growing impact in Indiana sports culture, the Fever head coach Stephanie White made it very clear just how special the moment really is.

Speaking to the reporters following the announcement, White could not hide her excitement about her player getting the opportunity to be part of one of the biggest traditions in the state.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to experience that,” she said. “I’m not sure if she’s been yet or not, but to experience that as the grand marshall, it’s one of the highest honors you can get in the state of Indiana.”

The timing of this event also works perfectly for Caitlin Clark and the Fever. Indiana will host the Golden State Valkyries on Friday before getting several days off ahead of their next matchup on May 28. This will give Clark the chance to fully enjoy the experience at the iconic racing event.

So naturally, Clark herself is also excited after being selected for the role.

“I’m honored to represent Gainbridge as grand marshal of the Indy 500,” she said in a statement, as per Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “I’m looking forward to experiencing an iconic piece of what makes Indiana so special and being part of the time-honored tradition of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”

But what exactly will Clark’s do on the race day? As the grand marshal, Caitlin Clark will deliver the traditional command for drivers to head to their cars before the start of the race. She is also expected to take part in several pre-race ceremonies and appearances as part of her partnership with Gainbridge during one of the biggest sporting events in Indiana.

Since arriving in Indiana as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark’s popularity has continued to skyrocket. She has broken multiple WNBA records, made sellout crowds the norm for Indiana’s games, and even signed a $28 million deal with Nike.

That growing popularity is also part of why Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles believes Clark is the perfect choice for the role.

“Since being drafted by the Fever, fans have been clamoring to share the epic celebration and thrilling excitement of Indy 500 Race Day with Caitlin,” Boles said. “Caitlin will bring unique energy and presence to a quintessentially Hoosier experience and an absolutely bucket-list global sporting spectacle.”

As Clark now prepares to become one of the biggest faces of race weekend, she will also continue the growing connection between Indiana Fever stars and racing traditions.

Caitlin Clark Continues a Growing Fever Tradition

In just a few days, Clark will take the center stage at the Indy 500. However, she is not the first Fever star to become heavily involved in the city’s iconic race-week celebrations.

Back in 2024, Fever legend Tamika Catchings was selected as the Grand Marshal for the AES 500 Festival Parade. The Basketball Hall of Famer and four-time Olympic gold medalist earned the honor after building one of the greatest careers in WNBA history while also making a major impact in the Indianapolis community through her Catch the Stars Foundation.

Then, in 2025, Fever guard Lexie Hull also became a part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway festivities.

Although they did not give Hull the Grand Marshal honor, IMS selected her to showcase the event’s official gear and raise the green flag to celebrate the start of the IndyCar season.

Now, Caitlin Clark is preparing to go to an entirely different level. And considering the amount of attention she brings everywhere she goes, the Fever superstar will likely become one of the biggest attractions during race weekend.