‘Desperate Housewives’ star to wave green flag to start race July 29 at IMS
“Desperate Housewives” actor James Denton has been named the grand marshal for the Allstate® 400 at the Brickyard ® on July 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This year represents the 14th running of the historic race, which will be the season’s first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event televised on ESPN, and marks Allstate’s third consecutive season as title sponsor of the race.
Denton will be on hand to participate in pre-race activities, including the ceremonial waving of the green flag, signaling the start of the race. As a continued Indianapolis Motor Speedway family tradition, IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George will deliver the legendary command, “Gentlemen, start your engines.”
This year’s race winner will be vying to become the third consecutive winner to go on and win the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship, a feat accomplished by Tony Stewart in 2005 and Jimmie Johnson in 2006.
“Allstate and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are excited to have James Denton serve as the grand marshal for the 14th running of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard,” said Joe Tripodi, Allstate’s chief marketing officer. “As a well-known TV personality on a very popular show and an avid sports enthusiast, James is an ideal ambassador for this monumental race. We are proud to make him an integral part of the festivities.”
Denton is best known from his role as Mike Delfino on ABC’s television hit show “Desperate Housewives,” where he, along with the entire cast, was honored with the 2006 and 2005 SAG Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy. He previously starred on the television series “The Pretender,” “Philly” and “Threat Matrix.”
His feature film credits include “Primary Colors” and “Face/Off.” Denton recently wrapped production on the feature film “Tortured” with Laurence Fishburne and the made-for-television movie “Custody” for Lifetime.
“This is an incredible honor to be named the grand marshal for this year’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard,” Denton said. “I’m a huge sports fan, so to be able to wave the green flag at one of NASCAR’s premier races is going to be an amazing experience.”
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,800 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada.
Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.
In April 2005, Allstate signed a multi-year agreement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the title sponsor for the race.
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Allstate 400 at the Brickyard tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 14th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, scheduled for Sunday, July 29.
Tickets can be purchased at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Web site, indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by phone or at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office. The IMS Ticket Office can be contacted at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally. Ticket Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Parking and camping permits also can be purchased online, by phone or at the Ticket Office.
