George Lucas named Grand Marshal of Toyota GP of Long Beach

Legendary filmmaker George Lucas will serve as Grand Marshal for the Sunday, April 15 festivities at the April 13-15 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Lucas, whose “Star Wars" films have achieved classic status with lifetime revenues approaching $20 billion, will preside over pre-race ceremonies beginning at 12:15 p.m., prior to the 1 p.m. start of the Champ Car World Series race.

His second Grand Marshal stint of 2007 – he also was Grand Marshal for the recent Rose Parade – happens one day after he participates in the 31st Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, slated to get the green flag at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. And, it comes during the 30th Anniversary of the release of the original “Star Wars" in 1977!

The prolific Lucas also wrote and produced the Indiana Jones adventure series, and is currently at work writing and producing the fourth and final installment of the Indiana Jones series, scheduled to be released in May of 2008.

Julianne Hough of TV’s “Dancing With the Stars," will sing the National Anthem on Sunday. Hough and her dancing partner, Olympic speed skater Apolo Ono, are considered among the top contenders on the popular show.

Ono will be in attendance on Sunday, along with a “Dancing With the Stars" camera crew filming for the following week’s show.