(NAPSI)—Olympic athletes train intensely, study the game and push their bodies to the limit. The same skills and discipline serve them well when they turn their eyes on another prize: the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. More than a dozen Olympians have participated since the event’s inception in 1977, including gold medalists Carl Lewis, Misty May- Treanor, Mary Lou Retton, Dara Torres and Bruce Jenner.
One of six main events held during the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race brings together stars of film, television and sports to compete against professional drivers on the historic 1.97-mile circuit. This year’s race will take place April 20th.
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