Donald Trump won't drive Indianapolis 500 pace car

Donald Trump

/ David Becker

Citing conflicts with his potential presidential campaign and "business constraints," Donald Trump has pulled out from plans to drive the pace car at this year's Indianapolis 500.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) had been facing pressure to drop Trump from the event.

"Donald J. Trump today informed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he may be announcing shortly his intention to run for the office of President of the United States, and therefore he thought it would be inappropriate to drive the Pace Car for the 100th anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29," the IMS said in a press release.

"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 in a statement included in the IMS release.

Dario Franchitti drives in the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 30, 2010.

/ AP Photo/Tom Strattman

A Facebook group set up by Indianapolis 500 fans calling on the IMS to "Bump Trump" has attracted more than 17,750 "likes." The page is now filled with celebratory comments like "Trump is out--citing conflicts...LOL! Yeah the conflict was he can't stand to have his enormous ego poked in any way. Here's your'conflict'--we don't want you!"

The page had been set up by Indianapolis attorney Michael Wallack, who said, "I have no problem if Trump dislikes President Obama or his policies. But to step over the line into the realm of conspiracy-mongering is not good for politics or for America. And it should not be rewarded with the honor of driving the pace car at the Indianapolis 500."

Trump had been raising questions about whether President Obama was born in the United States, despite overwhelming evidence that he had indeed been born in Hawaii. He took credit when Mr. Obama released his long-form birth certificate last week.

IMS spokesman Doug Boles told the Indianapolis Star before the announcement that "We are certainly aware of the Facebook page, and we have certainly received complaints. But we have also received comments from other folks in support of Donald Trump driving the pace car."

Trump aide Michael Cohen told the Star after the announcement that the criticism had been politically motivated, pointing to suggestions from local Baptist ministers that Trump's questioning of Mr. Obama's birthplace and educational achievement was racially motivated.

"This debate stems from unfounded, incorrect and malicious lies that Donald Trump has a racial bias toward the president," said Cohen, who also said the complaints came from "a very small number of people who are probably not even Indy 500 fans."

No replacement has been announced to drive the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible that is serving as the pace car.

13 Photos

Donald Trump in pictures

[nomoremsnicegal]

Who on earth invited that bloated blowhard with the orange skin and hair to drive the pace car in the first place? What a display of poor judgment on the part of the Indy 500.

[documemts]

.........Won't be driving the pace car for the Indy 500?...That's it! The race has lost all meaning for me...................

[pasha128]

by reluctantzealot May 5, 2011 8:01 PM EDT
Government Motors didn't pay their creditors... seems to be acceptable for most democrats!

-----

The Republicans have voted twice to put their 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug Program costing over $1 TRILLION every 10 years on the REPUBLICAN credit card twice. The second time the 2011 Tea Party broke a campaign promise NOT TO PUT ENTITLEMENTS onto the credit with their first legislative act upon entry to the new Congress. Reversing the REAL cuts made by Democrats in 2009 / 2020 to pay for this REPUBLICAN Congress passed entitlement.


How many TRILLIONS have the Republicans added to the debt to conduct their WAR OF CHOICE in Iraq. Bush still has HIS WAR OF CHOICE war on the REPUBLICAN credit card with binding commitments he made in his SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) signed around a month before he left office.

[pasha128]

Even George H W Bush (The Elder) believed in departing for the US Traditions of shared sacrifice at war time, and chose to wage the first Iraq war on the credit card.

[pasha128]

by reluctantzealot May 5, 2011 6:50 PM EDT
Sure, tell yourself that. Meanwhile go look at the BC that Obama was FORCED BY TRUMP to show America!

------

The Birther numbers decline, even Michelle Bachmann and Governor Brewer have abandoned their Birther delusions. Trump's only success was proving to a significant number of Birthers that they were played for FOOLS by the Tea Party Republicans.

[pasha128]

Trump pulls a Palin, resigns from previously accepted responsibilities with even fewer detractors than Half-Governor Sarah Palin. The Republicans are becoming the party of quitters. Bush signs the "Republican Party's infamous Time Line of Surrender" (ASA SOFA) before leaving office effectively. Sarah Palin quits half way through her first term as Governor of Alaska. Trump quits with around 17000 detractors. Ensign quits over affairs, bribes and other illegal activities. The 21 Century -- the century plagued by Republican quitters.

[user000049586849302948603]

Haven't heard much from "the Donald" since the White House corespondents dinner.

Guess he got his feelings hurt a little so he's on a bender; downing the top shelf stuff like it's water.

[reluctantzealot]

Have you seen the new bumper sticker online... roflmao

It's got a picture of Obama with a footprint across his head that says 'TRUMPED SOUNDLY"....


too cool!!!

[user000049586849302948603]

<forward:secretservice.gov\>

[user000049586849302948603]

I'm thinking the real story is Trump didn't have the chutzpah to show his face in public after the severe spanking he received at the White House correspondents dinner and President Obama's subsequent sacking of OBL.

[reluctantzealot]

Obama was TRUMPED!!!

roflmao

(THANKS FOR PLAYING BARRY)

[moorpheus2]

@Lindag10 and us_1776 -- I agree, I just logged in to say, WTH, Trump doesn't know how to drive anyway!