Good Morning America's Robin Roberts to Pace Indianapolis 500

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS which will pace the Indianapolis 500 race on May 30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be driven by Robin Roberts, anchor of the Good Morning America (GMA) program on ABC.

The announcement was made by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, during the GMA show on March 25. As was to be expected, the Indianapolis 500 will be broadcasted live by ABC.

"I am thrilled beyond words to be the Pace Car driver for this year's Indianapolis 500," Roberts said in a statement. "I've watched the race for years, and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be starting one of the premier American sporting events. If you see an extra car in the field, it will be me!"

Roberts, the anchor of the aforementioned Emmy-winning morning news program is not at her first encounter with the sports world. In between 1990 and 2005, Roberts worked as a commentator for ESPN, hosting, among others, "SportsCenter."

"We're thrilled to welcome Robin Roberts as Pace Car driver for the 2010 Indianapolis 500," Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief executive officer added. "She is an inspiring and popular personality with tremendous enthusiasm for 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'"

As for the car to be driven by Roberts, the special Camaro SS will come in Inferno Orange Metallic paint with White Diamond rally stripes, a interpretation of the paint scheme which was introduced on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. The Camaro is equipped with a 6.2l V8, developing 400 hp.