Kronwall serves as grand marshal, Clary waves green flag for Quicken Loans 400
Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings poses for his official headshot for the 2012-2013 season at Compuware Ice Arena on January 13, 2013 Photo – Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
Detroit Red Wings alternate captain Niklas Kronwall will be the grand marshal and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Tyler Clary will serve as honorary starter for the Quicken Loans 400 on June 16 at Michigan International Speedway.
Kronwall will give the command of “start your engines” while Clary will wave the green flag to start the Quicken Loans 400.
“We are thrilled to welcome Niklas Kronwall and Tyler Clary to the MIS festivities,” track president Roger Curtis said. “Niklas is an integral member of the Red Wings and the Detroit community who represents the state with pride. As a member of the US Olympic team, Tyler represented our country with pride and we are pleased he will be here with us to wave the green flag.”
Kronwall was the first-round draft pick of the Red Wings in the 2000 NHL Entry draft. The Stockholm native helped lead Detroit to a 24-16-8 record this year and an appearance in the Western Conference semifinals. He led all Red Wings defensemen with five goals and 24 assists. Kronwall has garnered a reputation as an open ice hitter, lending to the phrase of “being Kronwalled.”
The defenseman has played in 515 regular season games in the NHL, scoring 54 goals. Kronwall has helped lead the Red Wings to seven playoff appearances, including winning the Stanley Cup in 2008. He won a hockey gold medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games for his native Sweden.
Swimmer Tyler Clary
Photo – Courtesy of MIS
Clary, a 24-year-old Olympian and three-time NCAA champion at the University of Michigan, won the gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the London Summer Olympics. He defeated fellow American Ryan Lochte in the final and broke Lochte’s Olympic record of 1:53:94, finishing the event in 1:53:41. Clary also swam in the 200-meter butterfly, placing fifth. The racing enthusiast, has won eight medals during his international swimming career.
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest track and the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
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