Curt Cignetti will be behind the wheel as the pace car driver for the Indianapolis 500, and this piece walks through what that means at the Brickyard, who helped him prepare, and why the Corvette ZR1X is the perfect machine to lead the field. You’ll see references to Sarah Fisher’s coaching, the car’s powertrain, the America 250 paint scheme, and the race coverage set for Fox on Sunday in Indianapolis. The scene is the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, with Cignetti pacing the field and a spotlight on how practice matters before the green flag.
Getting the chance to drive the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 is a rare honor, and for Curt Cignetti it’s a high-profile moment tied to his success with the Indiana Hoosiers. The role isn’t purely ceremonial because the pace car sets speed that affects tire temperature and race starts, so there’s real responsibility in those laps. Cignetti training at the Brickyard shows the organizers want a steady, safe lead car. Practicing ahead of the big day is about rhythm, timing, and keeping the drivers comfortable behind you.
Pace car choice matters, and this year’s pick is a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, a serious bit of kit designed to handle the demands of leading a pack of IndyCars. Under the sheetmetal is a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 that sends more than 1,000 horsepower to the rear wheels, plus an electric motor that tacks on another 186 horsepower to the front axle. That hybrid setup gives the Corvette the responsiveness and stability needed to control pace laps without feeling out of place in front of razor-sharp race machines. It’s not just flash; the power and balance help keep lap speeds where they should be for driver safety and tire prep.
Driving comfortably at the correct pace is the whole point, and if you go too slow you risk annoying drivers and upsetting their tire and brake prep. On the other hand, too fast and you undercut the safety cushion the pace lap is meant to provide. The ideal pace is a sweet spot where tires come up to temperature evenly and drivers can follow safely into position. That’s why the practice sessions Cignetti ran at the Brickyard were more than photo ops; they were essential rehearsal.
Sarah Fisher was on hand to coach Cignetti during those practice laps, and her experience matters. Fisher has nine Indianapolis 500 starts and a solid resume in IndyCar that makes her a natural mentor for someone new to the role of pace car driver. Having a former competitor guide you through the feel of the track, the timing of speed adjustments, and how to manage the car under pressure is invaluable. Her presence stands in for institutional knowledge that helps turn a celebrity moment into a professional performance.
The Corvette leading the 110th Running also carries a notable livery, the America 250 paint scheme, which adds a ceremonial flair to the technical duties of the pace lap. Visuals matter at a race with this much history, especially on the pace lap when the crowd sees a signature car glide by before the green flag. The combination of a striking paint job and legitimate performance makes for a memorable image at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That imagery plays into the spectacle of race day just as much as the on-track action that follows.
Beyond the car and the coaching, timing matters for viewers and fans planning their day. Coverage of the Indianapolis 500 pace laps and the race itself begins at 10 a.m. ET on Fox, which puts Cignetti’s drive right in front of a national broadcast audience. For the university and local supporters, it’s a chance to see a familiar face in a rare role. For the broader audience, it’s part of the annual ritual that blends pageantry, speed, and a bit of drama before the competition settles in.
There were also promotional notes in the lead-up to race weekend, including bold, on-brand messages that ran alongside the announcement. One of those reads exactly as stated: ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Another promotion was highlighted with the precise wording: WNBA SUPERSTAR CAITLIN CLARK WILL BE THE GRAND MARSHAL OF THIS YEAR’S INDIANAPOLIS 500 which ties a high-profile guest to the race day ceremonies. Those lines show how the event mixes sport, media, and celebrity to keep attention focused on Indianapolis in the lead-up to the race.
All told, Curt Cignetti’s role as pace car driver is part honor, part performance, and part technical responsibility, and the prep work at the Brickyard reflects that mix. With Sarah Fisher’s guidance, a purpose-built Corvette ZR1X under his right foot, and millions watching on Fox, the lead laps are about setting tone and keeping the field safe. When the cars roll off and the green drops, the pace car’s work is done but its impact on the start is visible in every wheel-to-wheel moment that follows.
