Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, who was a part of the 2015 World Series team, will drive the pace car to lead the Hollywood Casino 400 field to the green flag on Sunday, Oct. 21.
“I look forward to having Alex at Kansas Speedway and as a part of the Hollywood Casino 400 race day festivities,” Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren said. “Alex and his family have been a big part of Kansas City for years and I know our race fans will enjoy seeing him on race day.”
Gordon, who has patrolled left field for the Royals since 2007, has racked up the accolades over the years, including being named to the American League All-Star team in 2013, 2014 and 2015; winning the Rawlings AL Gold Glove in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017; winning the Rawlings AL Platinum Glove in 2014, being named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and 2017, and won the Hutch Award in 2014.
The Nebraska native, who attended the University of Nebraska, was drafted second overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft and currently sits fourth on the Royals all-time home run leaders list.
Gordon is the second Royals player to be named the honorary pace car driver, following former teammate Drew Butera, and he follows current Kansas City Chiefs player Anthony Sherman, who drove the pace car in May, and former Kansas City Chiefs player Derrick Johnson, who drove the pace car in May 2017.
All Kansas Speedway tickets are on sale by calling 866-460-RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.