Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson ready to pace the field at Kansas

Catching passes in the NFL, including one for a touchdown in the 2010 Super Bowl, is nothing new for Kansas native Jordy Nelson. But on May 10, Nelson, who is a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, will add a new title to his resume – pace car driver. He will drive the Toyota Highlander pace car to start the Kansas 400, Kansas Speedway’s inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race, as part of Toyota’s official partnership with Kansas Speedway.

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

Nelson, is one of the most prolific football players in K-State history. He went from being a walk-on safety as a freshman to earning consensus All-America honors, including being named to nine first-team All-America squads, in 2007 as a senior and being named a Biletnikoff Award finalist. The Biletnikoff Award is given annually to the top receiver in the nation.

In 2008, Nelson was selected in the second round of the NFL draft, and became the first Top 40 selection from K-State since 2003.

In Green Bay, Nelson has not only had success on the football field, but he and his wife have been active in the community leading to Nelson receiving the Nice Guy Award at the annual Doug Jirschele Sports Award Banquet in Clintonville, Wis.

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

Kansas Speedway PR