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Tom Izzo and Mel Tucker to serve as Co-Grand Marshals for NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra07/28/22

SamraSource

Penn State football: What MSU coach Mel Tucker said after win over PSU
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker led his team to a win over Penn State Saturday (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

NASCAR and Michigan State will cross paths in an exciting way on August 7, as Spartans men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo and football coach Mel Tucker will serve as Co-Grand Marshals for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

Check out the announcement below, coupled with a statement of each coach’s elation to be chose for the honor for the upcoming FireKeepers Casino 400.

“Michigan International Speedway today announced that Michigan State University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo and Football Head Coach Mel Tucker will serve as co-Grand Marshals for the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 on August 7,” wrote Michigan State. “As part of their responsibilities, the Spartan coaches will give the command ‘Drivers, Start Your Engines’ to kick off the 200-lap race, the biggest of the year at MIS.

“The FireKeepers Casino 400 starts at 3 p.m. ET and will air on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.”

Of course, Izzo can’t wait for the moment, and the opportunity to play a small role in such a big event.

“I’m excited to serve as a co-Grand Marshal for the FireKeepers Casino 400 alongside my good friend and colleague Mel Tucker,” Izzo said. “Getting the chance to be a part of a NASCAR event was a thrill for me in 2010 and it was great to get the first-hand experience of seeing some of the best in their profession up close. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to represent Michigan State Athletics and our great University at a NASCAR event and in one of auto racing’s premier facilities at Michigan International Speedway. A special thank you goes to Aaron Zeigler for showing his Spartan Pride with the Michigan State University/Zeigler Automotive Chevrolet.”

Additionally, Tucker echoed the sentiment from his colleague at Michigan State.

“I want to thank the Michigan International Speedway for the opportunity to be the co-Grand Marshal of the FireKeepers Casino 400, along with Coach Izzo,” Tucker said. “I also want to thank Aaron Zeigler and his partnership with Michigan State Athletics. He has a relentless mindset, and this is an innovative way to represent MSU.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Michigan State University/Zeigler Automotive Chevrolet car in person and in front of thousands of fans at Michigan International Speedway.”

It’ll be an exciting day at the FireKeepers Casino 400 when Tom Izzo and Mel Tucker take the stage together to pump fans and drivers alike before the cars get rolling at Michigan International Speedway.

Mel Tucker responds to Pat Narduzzi dissing Michigan State, Big Ten

Mel Tucker didn’t respond viscerally to Pat Narduzzi panning Michigan State and the Big Ten while propping up Pittsburgh and the ACC as a whole.

Last week, Narduzzi made headlines claiming he was unimpressed with the Spartans last season, despite losing to Tucker’s squad in their Peach Bowl matchup.

“If that’s one of the best Big Ten teams, let’s go to the Big Ten and win it every year,” Narduzzi said on a recent episode of Bazzy’s Black & Gold Banter, referencing playing the Spartans close without star quarterback Kenny Pickett.

The highly anticipated response from Tucker proved one thing — the Spartans coach believes Michigan State’s trophy speaks for itself.

“I really prefer not to get into hypotheticals, especially games that were played in the past and were decided on the field,” answered Tucker.

Time will tell if Mel Tucker dousing the fire at Big Ten Media Days will be the end of the war of words started by Pat Narduzzi, but the college football world won’t mind some more juicy quotes to sink our teeth into.