The Charlotte Bobcats, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) and Lowe’s Motor Speedway today announced NBA great Michael Jordan will serve as Grand Marshal for the May 19 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. Jordan, the managing member of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats, will give the command, “Gentlemen, start your engines.”

“It is an honor and privilege for me to serve as the Grand Marshal of the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star race,” said Jordan. “Having the opportunity to take part in this event is a tremendous thrill.”

A perennial competitor who appeared in 14 NBA All-Star games as a player, Jordan virtually rewrote the league’s record book. His career scoring average of 30.1 points is the highest in NBA history and with 32,292 points, he ranks third on the all-time scoring list. Jordan led Chicago to six NBA Championship titles and was named NBA Finals MVP during each of those series. A five-time NBA MVP in the regular season, he became the only player to win back-to-back regular season and Finals MVP awards when he accomplished the feat in 1990-91 and 1991-92.

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