Indiana Football Coach Curt Cignetti to Drive Pace Car at 110th Indianapolis 500

Cignetti's historic run with the Hoosiers earns him the honor of leading the field to the green flag.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:04am

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Indiana University head football coach Curt Cignetti has been named the honorary Pace Car driver for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500. Cignetti will take the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X to lead the field of 33 drivers to the green flag at the start of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' on May 24, 2026.

Why it matters

Cignetti's selection reflects the remarkable turnaround he has engineered with the Indiana football program, which has captured national attention and state pride with an undefeated national championship season and 27 wins in his first two years. Driving the Pace Car at the iconic Indianapolis 500 ties together two of Indiana's biggest sports stories.

The details

Cignetti will become the latest in a long line of sports, entertainment, and cultural figures to drive the Pace Car at the Indianapolis 500, joining a list that includes Michael Strahan, Morgan Freeman, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Griffey Jr., and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. The selection of Cignetti is seen as a fitting way to celebrate the Hoosiers' recent success and connect it to one of Indiana's most celebrated sporting traditions.

  • The 110th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026.
  • Cignetti will drive the Pace Car to lead the field to the green flag at the start of the race.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head football coach at Indiana University, who has led the Hoosiers to a national championship and 27 wins in his first two seasons with the program.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The iconic racetrack that hosts the annual Indianapolis 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X

The newest and most advanced version of the iconic American sports car that Cignetti will drive as the Pace Car.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Cignetti will have our field in a special victory lap formation as he leads the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the green flag at this year's Indy 500. His Hoosiers have been nothing short of remarkable, and their National Championship run inspired our entire state. He's the perfect choice to drive the Chevrolet Pace Car.”

— J. Douglas Boles, INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The exact design of the Pace Car, including its custom Indianapolis 500 livery, will be unveiled at a later date.

The takeaway

Cignetti's selection to drive the Pace Car at the Indianapolis 500 is a fitting tribute to the remarkable turnaround he has engineered with the Indiana football program, which has captured national attention and state pride with an undefeated national championship season. This moment will further cement the connection between the Hoosiers' success and one of Indiana's most celebrated sporting traditions.