Chicago sports icon Derrick Rose will be the grand marshal of the NASCAR Cup Series street race scheduled for Sunday on the streets of the Windy City.
Rose is a former NBA MVP for the Chicago Bulls and a Illinois Mr. Basketball winner during his time as a two-time high school state champion at Chicago Simeon. He will say the phrase, “Drivers, start your engines” as part of a pre-race celebration for the Grant Park 165 this weekend.
“Derrick is one of the most beloved sports icons in the city’s history,” Julie Giese, NASCAR Chicago Street Race President, said in a release, “and we look forward to having him get NASCAR’s only street race underway.”
Rose, a Chicago native, became the youngest NBA MVP in history when he won the award in 2011 at age 22, leading the Bulls to the best record in the NBA that season.
After high school and one NCAA Final Four season at Memphis, Rose was drafted No. 1 overall by the Bulls in 2008. He spent the first eight years of his NBA career with the Bulls, earning rookie of the year and being named an all-star three times. The Bulls will retire Rose’s jersey during the 2025-26 season.
“It’s an honor to be part of such an incredible event in my hometown,” Rose said in a release. “Chicago has always supported me throughout my career, and I’m excited to give back to the fans and be part of this amazing racing weekend in Grant Park.”