Dallas Stars center Mike Modano, the leading American-born goal scorer and points producer in NHL history, will be honored by Texas Motor Speedway by receiving the rare opportunity to drive the official pace car that will lead the 43-car field to the green flag for Sunday’s Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Traditionally, honored race guests such as Modano get the chance to ride in the lead pace car or drive a secondary pace vehicle, but NASCAR has granted Texas Motor Speedway special permission for Modano to wheel the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro pace car that will lead the Sprint Cup Series field to the green flag. NASCAR’s customary pace car driver Brett Bodine, a former Sprint Cup Series driver, will provide Modano with a mandatory on-track orientation prior to the race. Modano is only the second celebrity in the 14-year history of Texas Motor Speedway to be given the honor of leading the field. The first was movie star Vince Vaughn, who paced the field to the green flag for the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in November of 2007.(TMS)(4-18-2010)
