Retirement is serving Chipper Jones well, who is busy knocking things off his “bucket list.” The latest? Serving as the Grand Marshal for Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday commanding the 43 car field with a “Drivers, start your engines!”

“I have been a huge NASCAR fan my entire life,” Jones said in a press release. “I have met many people within the world of NASCAR as well as many dedicated, true fans of the sport. I know there are a lot of those fans who love Talladega. I’m really looking forward to getting the Aaron’s 499 started.”

University of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron will serve as the honorary pace car driver and CNN news anchor and country music recording artist Robin Meade will sing the national anthem.

In conjunction with the race events over the weekend, Aaron’s Inc. and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama are hosting a canned food drive to collect non-perishable food items.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com