Chris Hemsworth To Wave Green Flag For Start Of Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — As if the Indianapolis 500 and it's special guests couldn't get anymore exciting, Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced Monday that Hollywood actor and TAG Heuer brand ambassador Chris Hemsworth will be the honorary starter for the 102nd running of the race on Sunday, May 27. Hemsworth will wave the green flag to kick off the "Greatest Spectacle in racing" at IMS.

“I am very excited for the Indy 500 this year,” Hemsworth said, in a release. “As a TAG Heuer ambassador and motorsport fan, it’s an incredible honor to wave the green flag. It is going to be an exciting moment, and I am happy to be here with TAG Heuer.”

Hemsworth, well known for his role as "Thor," recently starred in Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” which set a box office record of $640.9 million worldwide on opening weekend and is also known to motorsports fans for his portrayal of Formula One legend James Hunt in Ron Howard’s biopic “Rush.”

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IMS officials say TAG Heuer is the “Official Timepiece of the Indy 500” and “Official Timepiece of the Verizon IndyCar Series.” TAG Heuer announced the extension of its partnership with IMS and the series back in March.

In addition to Hemsworth's honorary green flag spot, IMS recently announced Grammy Award-winning superstar Kelly Clarkson as this year's National Anthem performer, in addition to Jim Cornelison returning to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the race.

“The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world and the largest single-day sporting event on the planet, so it’s fitting we will have a globally recognized and applauded figure in the flag stand,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, in a release. “Chris is a true sporting fan who is going to embrace the IMS experience and enjoy seeing 33 cars race down the front stretch at our iconic facility.”

Visit IMS.com to for more information and to purchase tickets for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27.

(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images)