Donald Trump backs out of driving Indy 500 pace car

[Myrina]

Source: Indy Star

"Donald Trump is no longer this month’s Indianapolis 500 pace car driver.

The controversial host of NBC’s reality show, “The Apprentice,” told Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials that continuing with the program conflicts with his possible presidential campaign.

“I very much appreciate the honor, but time and business constraints make my appearance there, especially with the necessary practice sessions, impossible to fulfill,” Trump said. “I look forward to watching the race from New York.”



... more at link ...

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/article/20110505/SPORTS0107/110505008/Trump-backs-out-driving-Indy-500-pace-car?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|IndyStar.com

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... or in other words, whiny Donald couldn't take the bad press from the 6000+ facebook folks who wanted him fired.


WOO HOO! :woohoo:

[Oceansaway]

1. woooohoooo !...nt

[JohnnyRingo]

2. Actually, I'm still puzzled by this news.

Understanding his ego, I'm not willing to think he backed out because he's afraid of disapproval. Nor can I believe he doesn't want the exposure.

There's more to this than we know. Perhaps he was offered the opportunity to extract himself with dignity by the IRL to avoid the embarassment of certain rejection.

[Myrina]

5. You are more than likely correct.

But I don't care what the real reason is, the Toad lost again. I like that.

[cosmicone]

8. He just didn't want

that dead squirrel on his head flying out of his helmet at high speeds.

[CTD]

3. That's not the full story, just Trump's spin. READ

http://jalopnik.com/5798920/indy-500-to-trump-youre-fired

[JohnnyRingo]

12. That confirms my suspicions.

He was asked to pull out or face consequences, and unlike his father he heeded the sage advice.
The comments there are fun to read. I always liked Jalopnic as a source of everything automobile.

[MindPilot]

4. I suspect the real reason has to do with safety issues.

There is not a helmet that will fit over his hair.

And given the man's substantial bulk, that is just too much mass moving too fast to be on a racetrack.

[aggiesal]

6. Actually, you're not far off ...

I believe that since the pace car is a convertible and
drives around 110 MPH, he's afraid that his hair piece
will fly onto the track and cause an accident.

[RantinRavin]

9. 110 ?

Pace lap speed at Indy is 75 mph

[aggiesal]

10. Really? Is that official?

Because I've seen the speedometer on TV, and it was definitely
pushing over 100 MPH, at the start of the race.

Either way, I still think he's afraid his hair will fly off
and cause an accident.

[Frank Cannon]

18. I'm pretty sure that giant furry thing on his head achieves lift...

at an airspeed of only about 40 mph.

He probably didn't know it was going to be a convertible when he signed up.

[leveymg]

7. They gave him an "honorable out", like allowing someone to resign who was about to be fired

Why did they ever offer that honorary role to Trump, anyway? Is the owner of the track a complete GOP stooge?

[UTUSN]

11. Bwah-ha-HAH!1 Trump's slump is beauteous to behold!1 n/t

[unkachuck]

13. "Donald Trump backs out of driving Indy 500 pace car"

....why? Doesn't the pace car have a chauffeur? Doesn't trump know how to drive? Scheduling is one thing but passing up the opportunity to drive the Indy pace car is unforgivable....

....my affection for trump has sunk even lower....I guess if you want to stump the trump, offer him a set of Indy pace car keys....

[AngryOldDem]

14. Just a bad choice to begin with.,

This is, after all, the 100th anniversary of the race, so why invite someone who has absolutely no connection to the sport?

[Honeycombe8]

15. Donald who? Oh, that birther guy. nt

[AdrianInOcala]

16. Rumor around the Speedway is that he was dumped

not that he 'Backed Out'. I guess the Speedway realized that there is such a thing as bad PR

[MindPilot]

17. I think Obama should do it.

Presidents have often thrown out the first pitch...has any president ever driven the Pace Car?