The Indianapolis 500 is full of traditions. Whether it’s rookies milking a cow to improve their chances at ‘The Brickyard’, or winners of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ chugging down a glass of milk after their triumph. One of the most iconic motorsports events in the United States is full of rich history. And now, with the 109th iteration of the Indy 500 on the horizon, the honorary starter for the race has finally been announced, and it’s none other than Casey Irsay Foyt.
Days after the passing of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, his daughter has been given the responsibility to wave the flag to honor his impactful legacy as Colts team owner. It’s a fitting tribute to a man whose stewardship and philanthropic efforts have transformed Central Indiana and the Hoosier State for years.
Casey Irsay Foyt is given a big responsibility
Jim Irsay grew up around the NFL, with his father, Bob, acquiring the then-Baltimore Colts in 1973 when Jim was a teenager. Despite coming from a place of privilege, Irsay’s road to the top was not littered with gold. After the team moved to Indianapolis in 1984, Jim worked in a multitude of roles, from collecting tickets and answering phone calls. He eventually worked as a general manager, and it was only when his father passed in 1997 that he assumed the ownership role, and brought glory to the Colts with the 2006 Super Bowl triumph. Now, after his passing in May 2025, his daughter Casey Irsay Foyt will honor his legacy at the most prestigious event that Indianapolis hosts.
There couldn’t have been a bigger honor. Every year, a special guest is responsible for starting the Indy 500 race by waving the green flag. This time, the person responsible’s name is near and dear to Colts fans. Not only is Casey Irsay Foyt the daughter of the Indiana Colts’ former CEO and team owner, but also the spouse of former driver A.J. Foyt IV. He raced in the IndyCar series from 2004 to 2009, leading 17 laps across 129 starts and had 12 top-10 and two top-five finishes, and also worked as a scouting assistant on the Colts.
Sharing his thoughts on the prospect of Casey Irsay Foyt waving the green flag ahead of the race, IndyCar and IMS President J. Douglas Boles candidly said, “We’re honored to have Casey on the flag stand representing her family, our friends at the Colts organization, and Hoosiers everywhere who cherish our unique sports scene. Our organizations have a deep history together, and our fans cherish the familiar sight of players at the racetrack and drivers at the stadium.”
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He wasn’t the only one who thought it was important to pay Jim Irsay a fitting tribute through his daughter, Casey Irsay Foyt. Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles went on to say that her being the honorary starter is “incredibly appropriate and especially meaningful to celebrate Jim’s contributions to our city and state.” Just like her father, Foyt has taken a very hands-on approach at the Indianapolis Colts since she joined the team in 2007, revitalizing the Indianapolis Colts Women’s Organization. She was also instrumental in organizing the first NFL game outside the United States, which took place in London in 2007.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Roger Penske, who bought IndyCar for an estimated $300 million in late 2019. Amidst the ‘cheating scandal’ surrounding his team, the Indy 500 is officially sold out, with an estimated 350,000 fans expected to be in attendance for the race. Given the stature of the event, it’s only fitting for Casey Irsay Foyt to pay tribute to her father at the Indy 500, as the Colts and IMS have been connected over the years as two of Indianapolis’ strongest sports institutions.
Looking back at the honorary starter role at the Indy 500
The Indy 500 has been running for more than a century and has cemented its legacy as one of the most iconic motorsports events in the world. While being an honorary starter is a relatively recent symbolic gesture, it’s also considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the ‘chosen one.’ Shortly before the race begins, the role requires the honorary starter to climb the flag stand and wave on the cars after pace laps while 33 vehicles race past at ‘The Brickyard.’
In the last few years, fans have seen some real heavy-hitters being given the role of honorary starter. Back in 2014, Mark Cuban, who was donning a #5 Hoosiers jersey, waved the green flag at the Indy 500, and the baton was passed over to actor and motorsports driver Patrick Dempsey a year later. Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth was also entrusted with the role in 2018, followed by Christian Bale and Matt Damon in 2019, to promote the Ford vs Ferrari movie.
And now, Casey Irsay Foyt will be carrying forward the torch at the Indy 500. It’s an important year for the Indianapolis Colts under the circumstances, as the team will look to secure its first playoff berth since 2020. It’s been over a decade since they won their last divisional AFC South crown, but what better way to honor Jim Irsay, who owned the organization for 28 years, than by getting some silverware in 2025?
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