Pace Car

100 A pace car has been used to start the Indianapolis 500 since 1911. The primary pace car was a Stoddard-Dayton driven by Carl G Fisher. Other car and motorbike races have also used pace cars.

The purpose of a pace car is to help provide a prepared running start to the race. The racecars follow the pace car around the track, maintaining their assigned limit positions.

The exact details can vary, but typically, there is one "parade lap" at a relatively low speed. This is followed by a much faster lap that directly leads to the formal start of the race, as the pace car turns off the track into the pit area.

Many years, the driver of the pace car is someone connected to car racing or the automotive industry, such as the dealer that provided the car, an executive of a US automaker, or a retired racecar driver. However, especially in recent years, the driver may be a celebrity; recently comedian and talk show host Jay Leno, and actors Anthony Edwards have driven the Indy pace car. Colin Powell was chosen to drive the pace car for the 2005 event.