Indiana Football Coach to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

Curt Cignetti, who led Indiana to its first national title, will have the honor of leading the field at the iconic race.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:25am

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Race organizers for the Indianapolis 500 have announced that Curt Cignetti, the head coach of the Indiana football team that won the school's first national championship, will drive the honorary pace car at this year's race.

Why it matters

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious auto races in the world, and having the coach of Indiana's championship football team lead the field is a significant honor that highlights the state's sports accomplishments.

The details

Cignetti, who has been the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers football team since 2019, led the program to its first national title in 2025. As the honorary pace car driver, he will have the responsibility of leading the field of race cars around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to the start of the 500-mile event.

  • The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2026.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers football team, who led the program to its first national championship in 2025.

Indianapolis 500

One of the most prestigious auto races in the world, held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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What’s next

The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2026, where Curt Cignetti will lead the field of race cars as the honorary pace car driver.

The takeaway

Cignetti's selection as the honorary pace car driver for the Indianapolis 500 is a testament to the success of the Indiana football program under his leadership and the state's growing prominence in the world of sports.