The actor who portrays one of TV's extreme bad guys will be the celebrity pace car driver for Sunday's Indianapolis 500.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known as charismatic bully Negan on AMC series “The Walking Dead,” will drive a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport to lead the starting field to the green flag of the race's 101st running.

Morgan's "Walking Dead" role, in which he carries a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire nicknamed "Lucille," won the Seattle native a Critics' Choice Television Award and an MTV Movie & TV Award.

“He’s used to playing the ultimate villain in ‘The Walking Dead,’ but he’ll be an envied hero to millions of race fans around the world," Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said in a statement.

Negan's displays of violence made the October 2016 season premiere of the AMC series more of an internet sensation than usual. The show ranks as the most popular cable or broadcast series among 18-to-49-year-old viewers, an audience Indianapolis Motor Speedway is looking to attract.

"The Walking Dead" will return for its eighth season this fall.

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Before being cast as Negan, Morgan attracted attention for roles on "Grey’s Anatomy," "The Good Wife" and 2009 superhero film "Watchmen."

The pace car announcement follows the unveiling of Indy 500 roles for actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman (honorary starters); Bebe Rexha (singer of "The Star-Spangled Banner"); Jim Cornelison (singer of "(Back Home Again in) Indiana"); and pro wrestler Ric Flair (master of ceremonies at the Indy 500 Snake Pit).

Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.