TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Jon Gruden puts on his Bucs hat prior to his "Ring of Honor" speech during an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 18, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Falcons defeated …
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Former Tampa Bay Bucs head coach and member of the Bucs Ring of Honor, Jon Gruden, has been named Grand Marshal for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The man who brought Tampa Bay its first-ever Lombardi Trophy in 2003 will give the iconic command for drivers to start their engines when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off on Sunday.
Gruden will also lead a pack of 25 cars around the 1.8-mile downtown street circuit in a parade car just before the race begins.
With Gruden spending most of his career on the gridiron before recently taking a job with Barstool Sports, he said he's ready for his first St. Pete Grand Prix.
What they're saying:
"This will be my first ever Grand Prix in St. Petersburg on Sunday," Gruden said. "Can’t wait to see these great drivers in action and make some new friends. Looking forward to an amazing event!"
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What's next:
The weekend kicks off on Thursday with the Party in the Park at North Straub Park and the annual 5K on the track.
For the first time, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will hold a street race, the "OnlyBulls Green Flag 150," on Saturday.
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What you can do:
Tickets are still available and at last check they are going for $30. For the full schedule and race day info, click here.
If you aren't heading to the race, you can watch it live on FOX 13.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.