The Walking Dead’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan Talks Realizing A Dream At Indy 500

The man who has conquered The Walking Dead as Negan throughout the show’s seventh season conquered something else over the weekend: the Indy 500.

The actor was given the opportunity to drive the pace car for the iconic race over 2017’s Memorial Day Weekend and he certainly made the most of it. Prior to the race, he caught up with a reporter from WishTV to discuss the big moment, where he was first asked what his “wish” is.

“To not mess it up!” Morgan said. “I wish to not be the guy who screws up the race!”

Getting more serious, Morgan revealed just how excited he was to be included in the Indy 500. “It’s a big honor,” Morgan said. “It’s an absolute thrill of a lifetime.”

“This is the one race that I’ve always consistently watched throughout my life. I never anticipated this sort of thing happening. To have a chance to drive that thing and to get on this track! I mean, I drove this track yesterday, I probably did 20 laps, and I’ve gotta say… There’s nothing cooler!”

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Not only were fans of the race on hand to see Morgan walk the red carpet on his way to driving the pace car but fans of The Walking Dead, Supernatural, Grey’s Anatomy, and other titles which Morgan has had an impact on flocked to the scene for an opportunity to meet the man. Morgan took time to meet as many as possible, often signing autographs and taking their phones in order to snag a selfie with the excited bunch. “A lot of them are shaking and suddenly forget how to work their phone,” Morgan joked.

Morgan debuted on The Walking Dead in the show’s sixth season, creating one of the most talked about cliffhangers in television history when his precious Lucille baseball bat cracked the skull of an unknown victim, leaving fans waiting to see who his character had killed for six months. Since, his portrayal of the villainous Negan has taken center stage on the AMC series, oppressing the leader Rick Grimes and all but taking over his community. With Season 8 on the horizon, Morgan’s character will have his work cut out for him as his Saviors go to war with Rick and the surrounding communities.

MORE WALKING DEAD: TWD’s Five Worst Characters / New Photo Of Johnny Depp’s Dead Head Prop / Negan’s Backstory Reveals Completely Different Character / Watch Negan’s Alternate Kills / TWD F-Take Clips With Rick And Daryl / Major Criticism Fixed For Season 8 / TWD Casting Two New Characters

The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season in October of 2017. The first trailer is expected to arrive at San Diego Comic Con in July. For complete coverage and insider info all off-season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.