Former K-State star Jordy Nelson to drive pace car at Kansas Speedway

Green Bay Packers wide receiver and former Kansas State star Jordy Nelson will drive the pace car on May 10 for the start of the Kansas 400 — the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup series night race at Kansas Speedway.

“Getting the chance to drive alongside some of the greatest racers in the world is truly a dream come true,” said Nelson, a native of Manhattan, Kan. “I couldn’t think of a better place to do it than at my home-state track, Kansas Speedway.”

Nelson an All-American receiver at Kansas State, has been a prolific receiver since he was taken in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Packers. He caught nine passes for 140 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown in the Packers’ 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.

On Feb. 17, 2011, Nelson was honored with “Jordy Nelson Day” in Kansas, which was declared by Gov. Sam Brownback.

This story was originally published April 22, 2014 at 10:24 AM with the headline "Former K-State star Jordy Nelson to drive pace car at Kansas Speedway."