Manning to wave flag at Indy 500

Super Bowl XLI Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning will wave the green flag to start the 91st Indianapolis 500 on May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The two-time National Football League MVP also will serve as grand marshal of the IPL 500 Festival Parade on May 26 in downtown Indianapolis.

Manning led the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006-07 season to their first NFL championship, as the Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 in the Super Bowl. Since joining the Colts as an NFL rookie in 1998, Manning has become one of America's most respected and beloved sports stars.

"I am very honored to have been asked to serve as the grand marshal of the 2007 IPL 500 Festival Parade," Manning said. "I appreciate the grand tradition of the Indianapolis 500 and am excited to participate in the festivities surrounding the event."