As Daytona Starter, Abby Wambach Has Another Chance to Inspire Kids

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Abby Wambach figured the drivers in Sunday’s Daytona 500 weren’t concerned about whether she would do her job properly as honorary starter for the season’s biggest race.

Nevertheless, the star of the U.S. women’s soccer team fretted just a little about making a freak mistake.

“I never thought I would be here, but what an honor it is to be in Daytona to celebrate the Daytona 500 and to be a starter for it,” Wambach said. “It’s kind of insane. I think I’m going to be half-terrified on the crow’s nest and half-exhilarated. But once I don’t drop the flag, I’ll be good.”

Wambach shared the honor with teammates Kelley O’Hara and Christie Rampone. The three were brought into Daytona’s media center Sunday morning for a quick Q&A.

“There are few things that get my father excited, and this excited him,” Wambach said. “He thought this was very cool.”

(Read more ESPNW)