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.”  Continue reading →