Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly gets NASCAR assignment

 

   Luke Kuechly, linebacker for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, will serve as honorary pace car driver for the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

   Kuechly has been the leading tackler for the last two seasons for the Panthers and was the 2013 Associated Press Defensive Player of the year.

   In his rookie season, Kuechly, the ninth overall draft pick out of Boston College, made an immediate impact by leading the NFL in tackles an earning 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.