Indy 500 Pre-Race

It's race day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It's still hours before the race, but already things are happening.


Bands are playing and the Borg Warner Trophy has been rolled out onto the strip of bricks that comprise the start/finish line.


Also lined up on the grid are four former Indy 500 winning automobiles that will be part of the pre-race parade.


There are plenty of celebrities on hand. Jack Nicholson strolled down through the starting grid to get a close-up look at the 33 race cars. He'll be the honorary flagger for today's race.


David Letterman and Bobby Rahal, co-owners of Rahal Letterman racing are here. Bobby's son Graham is now driving for the team.


Mark Wahlberg is also here. He will get to ride in the Indy 2-seater, driven by Michael Andretti, ahead of the rest of the grid during the warmup laps.


While the cars were being moved to the grid, Mark Wahlberg and Mario Andretti went up to the front and chatted while sitting on the 2-seater.


Then the drivers were all introduced and took seats at the start/finish line for the rest of the pre-race festivities.


Florence Henderson sang "God Bless America."


Jewel sand the Star Spangled Banner.


Then four fighter jets flew down over the length of the main straight away.


Finally, Jim Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana".


And then it was time for Jack Nicholson to wave the green flag to start the most famous auto race in the world.