Jay Leno to Be Grand Marshall of the Indianapolis GP

This year's Indianapolis GP race will have a special guest in the name of actor and comedian Jay Leno. However, the famous host of the Tonight Show will not just come to the Brickyard and watch the MotoGP race from the grandstands, but will be attending the event as a Grand Marshall.

What that means is that Leno will present the award to the winner of the race at the end of the event, while also waving the chequered flag. Additionally, he will meet the MotoGP teams and riders on race day, while obviously cheering for his fellow American riders during the Sunday running.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the greatest spectator tracks in the world. Thankfully my R1 will stay in the Big Dog Garage as I plan to watch and cheer on our three Americans right from the pits,” said Leno, who is also a well-known collector of motorcycles and cars besides his comedian duties with the NBC.

Leno's closeness to the MotoGP world started earlier this season, when he presented his collection of over 200 cars and motorcycles to some former and current MotoGP stars, namely championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, Tech 3 riders Ben Spies and Colin Edwards and Yamaha legends Kenny Roberts Sr, Eddie Lawson, and Wayne Rainey.

The Yamaha-sponsored event took place in his “Big Dog Garage” in Burbank, suburbs Los Angeles, a few days prior to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

The Indianapolis GP will take place on August 29th, counting as the 12th round of the 2010 MotoGP championship.