March 18, 2026

Curt Cignetti to drive this year's Indy 500 Pace Car

Previous drivers of the Indy 500 Pace Car include Morgan Freeman, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, and Tyrese Haliburton. - Doug Jaggers / WFYI File Photo

Previous drivers of the Indy 500 Pace Car include Morgan Freeman, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, and Tyrese Haliburton.

Doug Jaggers / WFYI File Photo

After leading the Indiana University football team to a national championship, head coach Curt Cignetti will lead this year’s Indy 500 drivers to the green flag in May.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Cignetti will drive the honorary Pace Car for the "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Under Cignetti's leadership the IU Hoosiers went undefeated this past season, bringing home the school's first national football title.

IMS President Doug Boles said in a press release that Cignetti was the perfect choice.

"His Hoosiers have been nothing short of remarkable, and their National Championship run inspired our entire state," Boles said.

Previous drivers of the Indy 500 Pace Car include Morgan Freeman, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, and Tyrese Haliburton.

The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to take place Sunday, May 24.

Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05

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