Singer/songwriter Jewel will sing the national anthem before the start of the 94th Indianapolis 500.

Word that Jewel will perform before the May 30 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway comes three weeks after track officials said they hoped to bring iconic actor Jack Nicholson to wave the green flag this year.

Nicholson isn’t a sure thing yet, but officials are working to finalize his travel details, said Jeff Belskus, president and chief executive officer of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp.

Jewel’s connection to this year’s 500 comes through Professional Bull Riders, Inc., and her bull-riding husband, Ty Murray.

Randy Bernard, the new CEO of the Izod IndyCar Series and former PBR leader, got Murray’s help in turning the once-struggling professional rodeo series into the world-wide show it is now.

Murray, a PBR investor, is expected to attend the 500, too, along with some other celebrities connected to Bernard and Izod, which became the title sponsor of Indy-car racing last year.

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