Alaskan Veteran Opens Indy 500

Former Army Sergeant Latseen Benson was picked to sit next to racing great Mario Andretti, as he drove the pilot car for the start of Sunday’s Indy 500 race.

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By Heather VacLav

Story Created: May 29, 2011 at 11:39 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 29, 2011 at 11:39 PM AKDT

An Alaskan veteran got to lead the way for the start of this year's Indy 500 race.

Former Army Sergeant Latseen Benson was picked to sit next to racing great Mario Andretti, as he drove the pilot car for the start of Sundays race.

Benson, the son of former senate and gubernatorial candidate Dianne Benson, lost both his legs after an IED explosion while on patrol in Iraq. IZOD sponsored the special two-seater Honda car. It wasn't a stroll over the brickyard either; Andretti drove the car up to speeds of 190-miles per hour.

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