The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that Indiana Hoosiers head football coach Curt Cignetti will be the honorary pace car driver at the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24th.
Cignetti has been the toast of Indiana after leading Indiana to its first college football National Championship earlier this year. The Hoosiers finished their historic run 16-0, winning a Big Ten Championship, the Rose and Peach Bowls and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
According to an IMS release, “Cignetti will drive the all-new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – the most advanced Corvette ever, designed and built right here in the United States – to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Exact Pace Car details, including the one-of-a-kind Indianapolis 500 livery, will be unveiled at a later date.”
The 2026 Indy 500 is set for Sunday, May 24, with FOX’s live coverage kicking off at 10 a.m. ET.
“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,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “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, and I know his introduction on Race Day will bring out a special roar of appreciation from our crowd.”
On a day where the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana is shown off to the world, Indiana football will help get the show on the road.