Peirsol tells racers to start their engines in Concord

CONCORD, N.C. — Aaron Peirsol, the five-time Olympic gold-medal winner and former Newport Harbor High standout, was the grand marshal for the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Saturday.

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been to before,” Peirsol told the Associated Press.

Peirsol attended his first race weekend, according to the AP, and gave a new vibe to the traditional saying, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” shouting the final words with added emphasis before the drivers fired their ignitions.

Peirsol captured two gold medals and a silver at the Beijing Games in August, winning the 100-meter backstroke and he was part of the 400 medley team that won.

— From staff reports