Hansbrough played in N.C., but NASCAR new to him

He played in two Final Fours, won a college national championship, was a player of the year and a first-round draft choice in the NBA. But last weekend brought something Tyler Hansbrough had yet to experience in his sports career -- a NASCAR race.

The former North Carolina great and current Indiana Pacers rookie served as the grand marshal of Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, waving the green flag to start the event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Although he spent four years in North Carolina, it was his first NASCAR event. And on the morning of the race, it was clear that the 6-foot-9 forward was still feeling his way around this auto racing thing.

Q: Despite playing college ball at North Carolina, you've never been to a NASCAR race before?

Hansbrough: No, I've never experienced it. A lot of people look at me like I'm crazy around here. I just haven't had the opportunity to come out here and check out this NASCAR thing. But I'm real excited about everything.

Q: Are there any drivers you're rooting for?

Hansbrough: I want Elliott Sadler to win. He's a big Tar Heel fan. I met him earlier this week, and I hope he does well. But I'm also a [Dale Earnhardt] Jr. fan. I know he's a Carolina Tar Heels fan as well.

Tyler Hansbrough is a fan of Elliott Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and speed limits.

Q: So you won't be pulling for Duke fan Jeff Burton?

Hansbrough: No.

Q: Have you been able to get in a car and take a ride around here?

Hansbrough: No, I haven't taken a lap in a car. I don't know, man. I don't know if I could get in one of those things and go that fast. I'd be pretty nervous. Maybe a little scared.

Q: What was your first car?

Hansbrough: My first car was a GMC Sierra pickup. It's kind of old. It was a red truck. I loved it, though. I got it in high school.

Q: What do you drive today?

Hansbrough: A Dodge pickup.

Q: A pickup guy? Nothing more exotic now that you're cashing an NBA paycheck?

Hansbrough: Nah. I love my pickup.

Q: Indianapolis is a racing town, but it's also a big basketball city. Does that fit you?

Hansbrough: Yeah, it does. North Carolina basketball is about as big as they come, and I understand Indiana is really big on basketball. I'll fit right in, because I've come from a place like that. I think it's a good fit.

Q: Are you nervous about your grand marshal duties?

Hansbrough: I'm nervous about trying to get in that [starter's stand]. The climb is my biggest fear. I don't want to fall and embarrass myself. But as long as I get up there, I don't want to embarrass myself. Apparently I heard Peyton Manning's wave wasn't that great, so they kind of gave me a practice run on how to wave the flag and things like that. So I've kind of got that down, hopefully.

Q: Obviously you've played in some large arenas, but what do you think of the spectacle of the garage area here?

Hansbrough: I was just back there. It's exciting. I definitely didn't know this much went into it. So it definitely is a big time experience for me, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity.

Q: Are you a fast driver?

Hansbrough: No. I drive slow, maybe five [mph] over [the speed limit]. No tickets. Never had a ticket.

Q: Will this experience change that?

Hansbrough: No, don't expect me to go 100 to get home. I'll be in the slow lane.