Annika Sorenstam Serves as Grand Marshal for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – World Golf Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam checked another item off her bucket list on Sunday when she proclaimed, “Drivers, start your engines” as the Grand Marshal for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the season-opening race for the 2023 INDYCAR season.
Sorenstam, whose 15-year, Hall-of-Fame career changed the trajectory of women’s golf, was joined by WNBA star Destanni Henderson of the Indiana Fever, Tennis Hall-of-Famer and two-time Olympic gold medalist Gigi Hernandez and Parity athlete and nine-time national champion professional water skier Elizabeth Montavon for the weekend festivities in St. Petersburg.
Gainbridge, co-title sponsor of LPGA Tour’s The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican in November, celebrated the kickoff of Women’s History Month by amplifying the voices of these elite athletes. Each athlete’s organization - The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, Indiana Fever, Billie Jean Cup by Gainbridge and Parity – were prominently displayed on a special livery across the rear wing of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda driven by Andretti Autosport veteran and 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg champion Colton Herta.
"I'm so proud to have The ANNIKA driven by Gaiinbridge at Pelican logo featured on Colton Herta's No. 26 Gainbridge Honda alongside three other elite women's sports organizations," said Sorenstam. "I'm grateful to Gainbridge for giving women the platform to shine at the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race of the season in St. Petersburg. Bringing women together during the start of Women's History Month is a great way to spotlight the gowth of women in sport."
Sorenstam will host the LPGA Tour’s penultimate event of the 2023 season at Pelican Golf Club, Nov. 6-12. Tampa Bay’s signature annual LPGA Tour event, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican will feature the largest tournament purse outside of the majors at $3.25 million and featuring a world-class field of the game's best female professional golfers.
