Indiana's Curt Cignetti to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

Hoosiers coach to lead historic lap at iconic race

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:15am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a race car driver accelerating around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track, with the forms and details dissolving into vibrant brushstrokes.Curt Cignetti's historic pace car lap at the Indianapolis 500 will be a thrilling moment for Indiana's football fans and racing enthusiasts alike.Indianapolis Today

Curt Cignetti, the mastermind behind Indiana's historic football turnaround, has been selected to drive the honorary pace car at the 2026 Indianapolis 500. This announcement, made during the World Baseball Classic championship game, adds a new layer of excitement to the iconic racing event.

Why it matters

Cignetti's remarkable coaching career has transformed Indiana's football program from the losingest in history to national champions in just two seasons, an achievement not seen in over a century. His selection as the Indy 500 pace car driver is a well-deserved honor that recognizes his impact on the world of sports.

The details

Cignetti will lead the field of drivers in a ceremonial pace lap before the start of the 2026 Indianapolis 500. The pace car tradition at the Indy 500 has featured a diverse array of celebrities and sports icons, and Cignetti's inclusion adds another chapter to the race's rich history.

  • Cignetti's announcement was made during the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head football coach of Indiana University, who has led the Hoosiers to a historic turnaround, transforming them from the losingest program in history to national champions in just two seasons.

Doug Boles

The president of the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, who praised Cignetti's leadership and its inspiration for the entire state of Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Cignetti's leadership has inspired not just the Hoosiers, but the entire state.”

— Doug Boles, President of the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway

What’s next

Cignetti's pace car lap at the 2026 Indianapolis 500 will be a highly anticipated moment, as he leads the field of drivers before the start of the iconic race.

The takeaway

Curt Cignetti's selection as the honorary pace car driver at the Indianapolis 500 is a testament to his remarkable coaching career and the impact he has had on the world of sports. His ability to transform Indiana's football program into a national champion has inspired not just the Hoosiers, but the entire state, and his involvement in this iconic racing event showcases the interconnectedness of athletic excellence.