Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster would be the Grand Marshal of this yr’s Brickyard 400, held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The iconic blue monster is embarking on a Road Trip Across America, and Indianapolis marks the primary cease.
As grand marshal, Cookie Monster will give the standard command for drivers to report back to their automobiles earlier than the race. He will even give driver introductions on Victory Podium.
Michael Kaltenmark, Senior Director of promoting at IMS, says they couldn’t cross up the chance to host Cookie Monster.
“One mention of Cookie Monster, and everybody’s eyes lit up,” he mentioned. “It didn’t matter their age. We all had sort of a familiarity and an awareness and understanding and certainly an affinity for Sesame Street and Cookie Monster.”
Kaltenmark says the IMS workforce works arduous to make the race a family-friendly occasion. Kids 15 and beneath get in free. But Cookie is for everybody — and Kaltenmark mentioned individuals have been excited in regards to the announcement.
“He’s a lovable monster who’s built his identity around consuming them,” Kaltenmark mentioned. “What’s not to like?”
The race is that this Sunday at 2 p.m. There will likely be cookies.
Contact WFYI training reporter Sydney Dauphinais at sdauphinais@wfyi.org.