Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car at the 2026 Indy 500 following his national championship season with Indiana.
The Hoosiers head coach completed an unbeaten 2025 campaign that delivered the program’s first NCAA football title. He’ll take part in pre-race festivities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the 110th running of the race.
Cignetti will drive a USA-themed Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X to lead the field of 33 drivers to the green flag.
The Indy 500 selects a celebrity or notable Indiana figure each year to serve as honorary pace car driver. Cignetti’s championship run and status as one of college football’s most recognizable coaches made him a natural choice for the role.
Cignetti’s Decision to Accept the Role
The Indiana coach said he’s turned down most media and speaking opportunities since the season ended. But the Indy 500’s history and connection to Indiana made this different.
“We’ve turned down a lot of nice opportunities so that I can sit in my chair and run that remote back and forth and watch that tape I love to watch,” Cignetti said, per IndyStar.
He referenced the race’s importance to the “fabric of the state” when explaining his decision to take on the driving duties.
Sarah Fisher will handle the official pace car duties during the race itself. She’s been working with Cignetti during test runs and practice sessions leading up to race day.
“She’s a vet and she knows the ropes and she knows the track,” Cignetti said of Fisher, per IndyStar. “She knows when to start the turn, when to come out of the turn, how the car will function, the trust you’ve got to have in the car, and she knows the program.
“Most importantly, she wanted to make sure I could get my a– out of that car real fast because she’s the official pace car driver when the race starts, and I’ve got to get out real quick so she can get in.”
He drives, Google him @IndianaFootball head coach @CCignettiIU will lead the field to green as the Honorary Pace Car Driver at the 110th Running of the #Indy500 presented by @GainbridgeLife!@TeamChevy | #IsItMayYet? pic.twitter.com/Uh4r5EYn38
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) March 18, 2026
How the Pace Car Role Works
The honorary pace car driver leads the field through warm-up laps before the race officially begins. This ceremonial role has featured celebrities like Michael Strahan, Ken Griffey Jr., Tyrese Haliburton, Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in recent years.
Once the green flag drops, the official pace car driver takes over for the remainder of the race.
The pace car returns to the track during caution periods. It picks up the race leader and controls the field at reduced speed until track officials clear any obstructions or incidents.
The 2026 pace car will be a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X that both Cignetti and Fisher will drive.
Cignetti’s Preparation Process
Cignetti completed multiple test sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before race day. Fisher provided instruction on track navigation, turn timing and car handling during these practice runs.
The transition from honorary to official pace car driver happens quickly after the green flag. Cignetti must exit the vehicle so Fisher can take over pace car responsibilities during the race.
Here’s a look at Strahan driving the honorary pace car in 2025:
The 110th running of the Indy 500 represents another celebration of Indiana’s championship football season. Cignetti’s presence connects the state’s two biggest sporting events in a year that that brought unprecedented success to Hoosiers athletics.
