Ed Carpenter Prepares for 23rd Indianapolis 500 While Curt Cignetti Takes on Pace Car Role

IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter is gearing up for his 23rd Indianapolis 500 race. He feels confident in both his team and vehicle. As a racing co-owner, Carpenter is also anticipating the Freedom 250 Grand Prix scheduled for Washington D.C. in August. This event will introduce IndyCar racing to a wider audience.

Being chosen to drive the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 is a significant honor. This year, that privilege belongs to Curt Cignetti, the head football coach of the Indiana Hoosiers. Unlike ceremonial first pitches in baseball, driving the pace car has a direct impact on the race. The driver must maintain the correct speed to ensure the race cars can safely get their tires up to temperature.

Cignetti, after leading his college football team to victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship, will be handling the pace car duties. He practiced at the Brickyard to prepare for this role. Cignetti will be commanding a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which is equipped with a powerful 5.5L twin-turbo V8 engine providing over 1,000 hp to the rear wheels. Additionally, an electric motor supplies another 186 hp to the front axle.

Former IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher, experienced in both racing and pace car driving, has been offering guidance to Cignetti. With Fisher’s expertise, Cignetti is well-prepared for his task. The Corvette he will drive features a unique America 250 paint scheme. Cignetti will lead the field during the pace laps at the Indianapolis 500, with the event coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET on Fox.