The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Friday that Casey Irsay Foyt, the daughter of the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, will serve as the honorary starter and wave the green flag for Sunday's 109th Indianapolis 500.

Jim Irsay, the man who led the Colts out of irrelevancy and made Indianapolis into a football city, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 65 on Wednesday afternoon, according to an announcement from the team.

When Mark Miles strolls around downtown Indianapolis, he sees Jim Irsay's influence everywhere. From the trademark sports facilities to the towering J.W. Marriott hotel to the Pan Am Plaza currently under construction,