Bruce Pearl chosen as Honorary Starter at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday
Auburn head basketball coach Bruce Pearl was selected early in the week to be the Honorary Starter for YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway this Sunday, Oct. 2.
Pearl is a well-known figure in the state of Alabama. He should garner plenty of fan attention from Auburn and Alabama fans alike who will be on-hand for the Nascar race.
Nascar is now in its playoff series. Auburn Trustee Jimmy Rane‘s business is the sponsor of the Talladega Race. Rane, also known as the “Yellafella” is the owner of Great Southern Wood Preserving.
Big honor for Pearl
The Yellawood 500 race is one of four NASCAR Cup Series races. The others being the GEICO 500, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, and the Daytona 500. Pearl will be waving the green flag at the start of the race.
Pearl has become a local celebrity with Auburn, but of course, has national prowess as a collegiate basketball coach. In his time with the Tigers he has had 154 victories, three Southeastern Conference Championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and Auburn’s first appearance in the Final Four in 2019.
“I am super excited to wave the green flag to start the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway,” said Pearl, a Boston, Mass. native. “I can’t wait to see the speed of the cars plus see how the race teams will strategize to get to get a ‘W.’ I am thankful to the YellaWood team for giving me this opportunity.”
Outside of Auburn, Pearl, a native of Boston, Mass., made a name for himself as the head coach at Tennessee.
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Fans will be able to meet-and-greet with Pearl before the race on Sunday. He can be found at the Driver’s Introduction Stage on pit road hours before waving the flag.
Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Chrichton is excited to have Pearl act as the Honorary Starter of the race.
“I am sure Coach Pearl will bring that same passion that he showcases on the court at Auburn to Talladega Superspeedway for the YellaWood 500,” said Crichton to TalladegaSuperspeedway.com. “He will add even more to what is already going to be an electric atmosphere. We, like many fans who will be here in attendance, are thrilled he will be here.”
The race will begin at 1 p.m. central time. Tickets are available for sale by calling 1-877-Go2-DEGA or by visiting talladegasuperspeedway.com.
