TALLADEGA, AL – Talladega Superspeedway is proud to announce that the University of Alabama’s quarterback AJ McCarron, who helped guide the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championship titles, will serve as the “Honorary Pace Car Driver” for the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, May 5.
McCarron, who grew up just a few hours from Talladega Superspeedway in Mobile, AL, will get behind the wheel of a special Ford Mustang GT, the official pace car of Talladega’s Aaron’s 499 spring spectacular, and will lead the field of 43 cars around the track’s incredible 33-degree banking before the start of the race.
““I have enjoyed races at Talladega before and have always had a passion to get up to speed on the track,” said the two-time National Champion quarterback. “This is an incredible opportunity, and to be able to do it in front of the most famous drivers in the world, is something I am really looking forward to.”
This past Saturday, prior to the start of the annual A-Day spring game in Tuscaloosa, McCarron and his teammates were treated to the unveiling of a special Alabama National Championship paint scheme of Michael Waltrip’s No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota, which will compete in the Aaron’s 499.
“AJ has had such amazing success at Alabama, and that is known all over the country,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “We know the drivers and fans are going to be excited to have him here for the Aaron’s 499. I’m sure as soon as the crowd sees him in our Ford Mustang GT Pace Car, there’s going to be a lot of noise made.”
McCarron is beloved in the state of Alabama for leading the Crimson Tide to two consecutive BCS National titles. Alabama defeated LSU 21-0 in January of 2012 and repeated with a 42-14 victory over Notre Dame this past January. McCarron has the distinction of being the only quarterback to pull off such a feat (back-to-back titles) since the start of the BCS in 1998. In fact, since the 1950’s, only three other QB’s have won two straight.
The highly-regarded playmaker, who is a pre-season candidate for the Heisman Trophy, led the nation in passing efficiency last season when he completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards and a school record 30 touchdown passes, with just three interceptions. Over the last two years, he has thrown 46 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions.
The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend. Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of ‘DEGA at 200 mph. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA. This is more than a race…This is Talladega!
