Indianapolis 500 pace cars

The Indianapolis 500 auto race has used a pace car every year since 1911. The pace car is utilized for two primary purposes. At the start of the race, the pace car leads the assembled starting grid around the track for a predetermined number of unscored warm-up laps. Then if the officials deem appropriate, it releases the field at a purposeful speed to start the race. In addition, during yellow flag caution periods, the pace car enters the track and picks up the leader, bunching the field up at a reduced speed.

The pace car (a Chevrolet Corvette) leads the field past an accident site at the 2007 Indianapolis 500.

Prior to the first "500" in 1911, in the interest of safety, Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl G. Fisher is commonly credited with the concept of a "rolling start" led by a pace car. Nearly all races at the time, as well as all Formula One races even to the present, utilize a standing start.

In almost every year since 1936, it has been a tradition that the winner of the Indianapolis 500 be presented with one of that year's pace cars (or a replica). In most years since 1911, the driver of the pace car at the start of the race has been an invited celebrity, a former racing driver, or notable figure in the automotive industry. Historically, the honor of supplying the pace car was, and continues to be, a coveted honor by the respective automobile manufacturers and a marketing showcase for the particular make/model.[1]

Pace lap formats

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1911–1956

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Pace Car

The pace car was used to take the starting field on one unscored lap. The field would use the lap to warm up their engines, tires, and then at the conclusion of the lap, at a prescribed speed, the pace car would pull off the track and allow for a rolling or "flying" start. Fisher himself drove the pace car in several early years, but it eventually became an honorary position, with invitations extended to former winners, notable figures in auto racing or the automobile industry. The invited driver was given the honor of "pacemaker," and manufacturers used the honor of providing the car as marketing exposure.

During his tenure as Speedway president, Tony Hulman rode in the pace car nearly every year, immediately after giving the command to start engines. His primary duty was to marshal the start and in some years, his responsibilities included operating a film camera that would be housed inside the car's trunk.

Dating back to the very early years, the pace cars were often painted with special liveries complete with logos, lettering, pinstriping, and other decorative markings. In addition, sometimes flagpoles, lights, and other motoring paraphernalia were installed to further identify the pace car. Most manufacturers used the opportunity to showcase their higher end or luxury models. Since in the early years, the pace car was only used for one lap at the start (and not during caution periods), the need for a high performance machine (i.e., sports car) was not necessarily the top priority. In many years, the pace car was a convertible, which along with increasing the luxury status of the vehicle, it aided in the officials' ability to marshal the start.

1957–1976

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car

In most years through the early 1950s, the pace car led the field around the track for one warm up lap, and then the race began. The pace lap concept was popular with fans, as many drivers commonly waved at the fans and the rolling grid made for spectacular photographs. By 1957, the procedure was changed so the pace car led the field for two warm up laps. This allowed extra time to warm up the engines, oil temperatures, and tires, and allowed the drivers the chance to survey the conditions of the entire track at least once before receiving the green flag. This also allowed the fans on the main stretch (where the largest grandstands are located) to see the entire field parade by one time before the start. Previously only fans on other parts of the track got to actually see the grid go by for photographs and waving.

For the 1957–1958 races, the grid was lined up and exited single-file from the newly constructed pit lane. The two laps allowed the field to properly form up, however, in practice it turned out to be difficult and both races saw incidents at the start. In 1959, the field went back to lining up the grid on the main stretch, and continues to do so to this day.

By the late 1960s, not only would a special driver be behind the wheel of the pace car, but numerous celebrities would be invited to ride along as passengers. Automotive executives, NASA astronauts, reporters from ABC Sports and the IMS Radio Network, and other celebrities were among those invited to ride in the pace car.

In 1971, local Indianapolis Dodge dealer Eldon Palmer was involved in a crash driving the pace car. He crashed into a photographer's stand at the south end of the pit area, injuring several persons. In the years immediately following, the pace car driver utilized would only be an experienced race driver. Former Indy winner Jim Rathmann served six times (and once for caution periods only). Celebrities James Garner and Marty Robbins were chosen in part due to their experience in racing.

1977–present

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1978 Chevrolet Corvette 25th Anniversary Edition pace car

In 1977, the format was changed to three warm up laps - two "parade laps" and one "pace lap". During the parade lap(s), often several replica festival pace cars join the field, usually carrying celebrities and/or special guest drivers. The 1978 race was the first to feature multiple pace cars on the track during the parade lap. Since 2010, the IndyCar "two-seater" (a retired Indy race car modified with a special passenger seat) has also been at the front of the field, carrying a celebrity or special guest. The non-participating vehicles pull off the track after one or two circuits, and the lone official pace car leads the field on the pace lap. In 2012, it was further expanded to four warm up laps (three "parade" laps and one "pace" lap), coinciding with the introduction of a new engine and chassis formula.

Starting in about 1994, the field was observed to be quite straggled about during the parade lap(s), and often circulated the track single-file. Drivers were known to weave back and forth, sometimes vigorously, in an effort to build up tire temperature. On the final pace lap, the field would finally form up into the eleven rows of three on the backstretch, but oftentimes it was still loose and not in pristine order. This practice was often the subject of harsh criticism from fans and media, especially when the start was strung out single file, breaking tradition. In 2010, officials announced they were going to police the parade and pace laps closer, requiring the drivers to stay in the rows of three during the extent of the warm up period.

In later years, the Speedway began experimenting with using pop culture celebrities driving the pace cars, a change that has met with mixed responses from fans. Racers have taken the position in more recent years. A. J. Foyt drove in 2011, Dario Franchitti drove in 2014, Jeff Gordon, a five-time Big Machine Vodka 400 winner, drove in 2015, and with the new broadcast partner NBC Sports, their motorsport broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr., who made 16 Big Machine Vodka 400 starts and a two-time Indiana 250 winning car owner at the Speedway, drove in 2019.

Extra pace laps

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1967 Chevrolet Camaro

1957: A new state-of-the-art pit lane was built. For the first time, the pit area was separated from the racing surface. For 1957–1958, the field was lined up in single file on the pit lane, rather than the traditional 11 rows of three on the race surface. This required the cars to pull away, then assemble into formation. This caused tremendous confusion in 1958, as the front row escaped from the pace car, and the field needed an extra pace lap to assemble before the green was displayed.

1967: The race was red-flagged for rain after 18 laps. The conclusion of the race was moved to the following day. At the time, the pace car was not used for caution periods. However, officials decided to utilize the pace car for the resumption on lap 19. The original pace car driver Mauri Rose drove the car for the restart as well. Two unscored laps (one parade lap and one pace lap) preceded the resumption at lap 19.

1970: Jim Malloy hit the outside wall in turn four as the field was about the take the green flag. The start was waved off, and the next time by, the field was red flagged to clean up the incident. The teams were allowed to replenish a few gallons of used up fuel, and a short time later, the field pulled away for two new pace laps.

1973: A crash occurred as the field was about to take the green flag. The start was red flagged, and the cars circulated around back to the pits. After clean up, the field restarted, with two pace laps before the green flag.

1986: Tom Sneva crashed on the backstretch on the pace lap. The start was waved off, and the next time around the cars were halted on the frontstretch with a red flag. During the cleanup, officials decided to replenish the teams' fuel tanks with 3 gallons of methanol. After that was completed, the field restarted, and took two warm up laps before the green flag.

1992: Additional pace laps were run (unscored) after Roberto Guerrero crashed during a parade lap. Instead of halting the proceedings, officials decided to simply extend the number of warm up laps. The race itself ended up having 85 laps of yellow flag conditions, therefore the fuel allotment did not become a factor.

1997: Additional laps were run (unscored) due to a three-car crash on the original pace lap.

2009: When the field came out of turn four for the start, the field was not well aligned in the eleven rows of three. For the first time in modern history, the flagman decided to wave off the start, by displaying the yellow flag. The lap was not scored. The field re-formed, and received the green flag the next time by, with a slightly better formation.

Caution periods

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Through 1978, the pace car was only used at the start of the race, and was not used during caution periods. Since 1979, the pace car has also been used to pack up the field during caution flag periods. The ceremonial driver drove only at the start of the race. During caution periods, when the pace car is utilized to pace the field, a trained official has been the driver. In some cases, the officials utilize two separate pace cars (exactly the same models) one each for the start of the race, and the caution periods. Currently, the pace car driver for the caution periods is the same driver who drives the pace car for the IndyCar Series during all other events.

Cars

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1974 Hurst/Olds festival car
 
1991 Dodge Stealth "Official Car"
 
1983 Buick Riviera Festival Car

Starting in the mid-1950s, the auto manufacturer who provided the official pace car started selling replica pace cars to the general public. In many cases, the official on-track pace car was modified from its street-legal counterpart. Strobe lights, roll bars, multi-point harnesses, television camera mounts, two-way communication (for officials), and removing the air conditioning, are among some of the more routine modifications made for the actual pace car. Some official pace cars, however, have undergone extensive performance modifications, including suspension, transmission, or even engine modifications from their production counterpart (the 1990 Chevrolet Beretta is an example of this). Race-duty pace cars may also have the factory fuel tank replaced with a fuel cell, and usually have an on-board fire extinguisher installed. The special edition production replicas available to the public usually come with full paint and "Indy 500" decals, and may be part of a performance package upgrade.

In addition, the track typically is provided with dozens of lower-end ("base model") pace car production replicas (or different makes by the same manufacturer) for use as festival cars throughout the month.[2] Examples of this practice date back to the mid-1920s. The company who provides the pace car also often provides safety trucks for use at the track. For instance, in 1994, the Ford Mustang Cobra was chosen as the primary pace car. Ford Motor Company provided numerous Mustang GTs (a "stripped-down" model) for festival use. In 1996, the Dodge Viper GTS was chosen as the pace car. Rather than providing a fleet of Vipers, Chrysler provided numerous Stratus, Intrepids, and Special Edition Rams for festival use.

The replica pace cars and the festival cars are usually worth significantly less than the actual car used to perform the pace car duties. Few festival cars may actually have been driven on the track. Actual pace cars are rare and most are kept and owned by the Speedway museum and the manufacturers.

Traditionally, the make of the pace car has always been a domestic American brand. In 1991, the Dodge Stealth was originally named the pace car. However, the UAW, along with traditionalists, protested since the Stealth was a captive import built by Mitsubishi in Japan. Shortly before the race, the Stealth was downgraded to be the festival car. The pre-production Dodge Viper RT/10 was substituted on race day.

In 2001 and 2003, trucks were used instead of pace cars. In 2005, a specially restored 1955 Bel Air pace car was commissioned by the Indianapolis Race Committee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Chevrolet V-8 engine. Only one car was built and it was displayed and used on the speedway. It differed from the first 1955 track cars in that it was black. The original 1955 Chevrolet pace cars were red and cream two-tone. This car is currently on display at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana.

Since 2002, Chevrolet has had an exclusive contract with the Speedway to provide the pace car and other official vehicles for the Indianapolis 500. Prior to that, series engine provider Oldsmobile (1997-2001) had a similar arrangement, and provided the pace car three times over a five-year period. Chevrolet has had a contract to provide the pace car for the Brickyard 400 since 1994.

Since 1936, the winner of the race has traditionally been awarded a pace car. In some years, and in most cases for the past several decades, the winner is actually presented with one of the official street-legal pace car replicas.

Pace cars and drivers

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Pacemakers (1911–1941)

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1911 Stoddard-Dayton
 
1956 DeSoto
 
1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy Pace Car replica
 
1990 Chevrolet Beretta Festival Car
 
1992 Cadillac Allanté
 
1994 Ford Mustang
 
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
 
2011 Chevrolet Camaro
 
2014 Chevrolet Camaro
Image Year Car Pacemaker
  1911 Stoddard-Dayton Carl G. Fisher
  1912 Stutz Carl G. Fisher
  1913 Stoddard-Dayton Carl G. Fisher
  1914 Stoddard-Dayton Carl G. Fisher
  1915 Packard Six Model 5-48 Carl G. Fisher
  1916 Premier 6 (Model 6-56) Frank E. Smith
1919 Packard Twin Six Jesse G. Vincent
  1920 Marmon 6 (Model 34) Barney Oldfield
1921 H.C.S. 6 Harry C. Stutz
  1922 National Sextet Barney Oldfield
  1923 Duesenberg Fred Duesenberg
  1924 Cole V8 Lew Pettijohn
  1925 Rickenbacker 8 Eddie Rickenbacker
  1926 Chrysler Imperial 80 Louis Chevrolet
1927 LaSalle V-8 Series 303 Willard "Big Boy" Rader
1928 Marmon 8 (Model 78) Joe Dawson
1929 Studebaker President Roadster George Hunt
1930 Cord L-29 Wade Morton[3]
1931 Cadillac Series 370 V-12 "Big Boy" Rader
1932 Lincoln Model KB Edsel Ford
1933 Chrysler Imperial Convertible Roadster Byron Foy
1934 LaSalle Model 350 "Big Boy" Rader
1935 Ford Model 48 Harry Mack
1936 Packard 120 Tommy Milton
1937 LaSalle Series 50 Ralph DePalma
1938 Hudson 112 Stuart Baits
1939 Buick Roadmaster 80 Charles Chayne
1940 Studebaker Champion Two Door Sedan Harry Hartz
  1941 Chrysler Newport Parade Phaeton A.B. Couture

Pacemakers (1946–1978)

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Image Year Car Pacemaker Passengers
  1946 Lincoln Continental V-12 Henry Ford II Wilbur Shaw[4]
  1947 Nash Ambassador George W. Mason
  1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Six Wilbur Shaw
  1949 Oldsmobile 88 Wilbur Shaw Jack Wolfram
  1950 Mercury Eight Convertible Benson Ford
  1951 Chrysler New Yorker V8 David A. Wallace
  1952 Studebaker Commander Convertible P.O. Peterson
  1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner William Clay Ford Sr.
  1954 Dodge Royal 500 William C. Newburg
  1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Thomas H. Keating Tony Hulman
  1956 DeSoto Fireflite L.I. Woolson Tony Hulman
  1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser F.C. Reith Tony Hulman
  1958 Pontiac Bonneville Sam Hanks* Tony Hulman
  1959 Buick Electra 225 Sam Hanks* Tony Hulman
  1960 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Sam Hanks* Tony Hulman
  1961 Ford Thunderbird Sam Hanks* Tony Hulman
  1962 Studebaker Lark Daytona Convertible Sam Hanks* Tony Hulman
  1963 Chrysler 300 Sam Hanks* Tony Hulman
  1964 Ford Mustang Benson Ford Tony Hulman
  1965 Plymouth Sport Fury P.M. Buckminster Tony Hulman
  1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT Benson Ford Tony Hulman, Gus Grissom
  1967 Chevrolet Camaro Mauri Rose Tony Hulman
  1968 Ford Torino GT William Clay Ford Sr. Tony Hulman, Duke Nalon
  1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Jim Rathmann Tony Hulman, Pete Conrad
   1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Rodger Ward Tony Hulman, Pete Conrad
  1971 Dodge Challenger Eldon Palmer Tony Hulman, John Glenn, Chris Schenkel
  1972 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Jim Rathmann Tony Hulman, Pete Conrad, Chris Schenkel, Bob Draper, Dolly Cole
  1973 Cadillac Eldorado Jim Rathmann Tony Hulman, Alfred Worden, Chris Schenkel, Bob Lund, Dolly Cole
  1974 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Jim Rathmann Tony Hulman, Frank Borman, Chris Schenkel, Bill Kay
  1975 Buick Century 455 c.i.d. V8 James Garner Tony Hulman, Jim Rathmann
  1976 Buick Century 231 c.i.d. turbo V6 Marty Robbins Tony Hulman, Jim Rathmann, Chris Schenkel
  1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 James Garner Tony Hulman, Jim Rathmann, Chris Schenkel
  1978 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Jim Rathmann
  • Note: From 1958 to 1963, retired driver Sam Hanks was named "Director of Racing" for USAC, and assumed the pace car duties. No "celebrity" drivers were used during that period.
  • Note: The car assignments for the 1975 Indianapolis "500" Mile Race had the VIN number for pace car #1 as 4H57H5-H125041 and VIN number for pace car #2 as 4H57H5-H125135. The VIN engine code identifies as a 350 c.i.d (5.7 litre) V8 and was actually the modified 455 c.i.d. (7.5 litre) V8. Additionally, each VIN number for the total of the 55 Buick Century coupe Pace car replicas.[5]

Pace cars (1979–2024)

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Image Year Car Driver
(Start of the race)
Driver
(Caution periods)
  1979 Ford Mustang Jackie Stewart Jim Rathmann
  1980 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo Johnnie Parsons Don Bailey
  1981 Buick Regal V6 Duke Nalon Duke Nalon
  1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Jim Rathmann Don Bailey
  1983 Buick Riviera Convertible Duke Nalon Don Bailey
  1984 Pontiac Indy Fiero John Callies Don Bailey
  1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais James Garner Don Bailey
  1986 Chevrolet Corvette C4 convertible Chuck Yeager Don Bailey
  1987 Chrysler LeBaron Carroll Shelby Don Bailey
  1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Chuck Yeager Don Bailey
  1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am Bobby Unser Don Bailey
  1990 Chevrolet Beretta Convertible Jim Perkins Don Bailey
  1991 Dodge Viper RT/10 Carroll Shelby Don Bailey
  1992 Cadillac Allanté Bobby Unser Don Bailey
  1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Jim Perkins Don Bailey
  1994 Ford Mustang Cobra Parnelli Jones Don Bailey
  1995 Chevrolet Corvette C4 convertible Jim Perkins Don Bailey
  1996 Dodge Viper GTS Bob Lutz Don Bailey
  1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Johnny Rutherford Don Bailey
  1998 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Parnelli Jones* Don Bailey
  1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Jay Leno Don Bailey
  2000 Oldsmobile Aurora Anthony Edwards Don Bailey
  2001 Oldsmobile Bravada* Elaine Irwin Mellencamp Don Bailey
  2002 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette C5 Jim Caviezel Joie Chitwood, III
  2003 Chevrolet SSR* Herb Fishel Johnny Rutherford
  2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Morgan Freeman Joie Chitwood, III
  2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6 convertible General Colin Powell Joie Chitwood, III
  2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 coupe Lance Armstrong* Johnny Rutherford
  2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Patrick Dempsey Johnny Rutherford
  2008 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 E85* Emerson Fittipaldi Johnny Rutherford
  2009 Chevrolet Camaro SS Josh Duhamel Johnny Rutherford
  2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS[6] Robin Roberts Johnny Rutherford
  2011 Chevrolet Camaro A. J. Foyt*
(Mari Hulman George as passenger)
Johnny Rutherford
  2012 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 Guy Fieri Johnny Rutherford
  2013 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray Jim Harbaugh Johnny Rutherford
  2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Dario Franchitti Johnny Rutherford
  2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Jeff Gordon Johnny Rutherford
  2016 Chevrolet Camaro Roger Penske Johnny Rutherford
  2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Jeffrey Dean Morgan Sarah Fisher
  2018 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Victor Oladipo Sarah Fisher
  2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sarah Fisher
  2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Mark Reuss Sarah Fisher
  2021 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Danica Patrick Sarah Fisher
2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Sarah Fisher Sarah Fisher
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tyrese Haliburton Sarah Fisher
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ Ken Griffey Jr. Sarah Fisher
  • 1998: Professional golfer Greg Norman was originally selected to drive the pace car in 1998. He participated in testing runs in the early spring. However, Parnelli Jones was named a last-minute substitute after Norman was forced to withdraw because of shoulder surgery.
  • 2001 & 2003: Pace truck or SUV
  • 2006: This was before doping scandals erased his sporting records in 2011. (See Lance Armstrong doping case.)
  • 2008: There were two Chevrolet Corvette pace cars for the 2008 race; a metallic green pace car that runs on E85 driven by Fittipaldi at the start, and a pace car painted to resemble the 1978 pace car that runs on gasoline (used during caution periods)
  • 2011: Donald Trump was initially named the driver, but resigned the honor due to speculation about his candidacy in the 2012 presidential race as well as the negative fan reactions against his selection, including a Facebook campaign.[7]

Two-seater

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Starting in 2010, a modified Dallara IR03, converted to a two-seater, has also led the field during the parade and pace lap. Billed as the "Fastest Seat in Sports," it is driven by a former Indy driver, and carries a special passenger. This is featured at many IndyCar Series races.[8]

 
The IndyCar "Two-seater"
Year Driver Passenger Notes
2010 Michael Andretti Mark Wahlberg Mario Andretti coached from the pits
2011 Mario Andretti Sgt. Latseen Benson Benson was a retired Iraq War veteran (U.S. Army)[9]
2012 Mario Andretti Thomas Patton Contest winner[10]
2013 Mario Andretti Cpl. Barry Walton Wounded veteran (U.S. Marines)[11]
2014 Mario Andretti Gracie Gold
2015 Mario Andretti Adam Carolla
2016 Mario Andretti Lady Gaga Keith Urban withdrew due to back injury[12]
2017 Mario Andretti Zedd
2018 Mario Andretti Nick Cannon
2019 Mario Andretti Matthew Daddario
2020 Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Marco Andretti qualified for the pole position
2021 Not used
2022 Not used

Multiple appearances

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Carl G. Fisher
 
Chuck Yeager

By driver (for start of the race, not caution periods only)

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Appearances Driver Races
6 Sam Hanks 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963
Jim Rathmann 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1982
5 Carl G. Fisher 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915
3 "Big Boy" Rader 1927, 1931, 1934
Benson Ford 1950, 1964, 1966
James Garner 1975, 1977, 1985
Jim Perkins 1990, 1993, 1995
2 Barney Oldfield 1920, 1922
Wilbur Shaw 1948, 1949
William Clay Ford 1953, 1968
Duke Nalon 1981, 1983
Chuck Yeager 1986, 1988
Carroll Shelby 1987, 1991
Bobby Unser 1989, 1992
Parnelli Jones 1994, 1998

By car

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1986 Chevrolet Corvette

The process of varying the selection across different models, which existed from 1911 through 2001, has been abandoned since 2002, with all pace cars exclusively provided by the Chevrolet marque since that year.

Appearances Car Races
20 Chevrolet Corvette 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
9 Chevrolet Camaro 1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016
3 Stoddard-Dayton 1911, 1913, 1914
Packard 1915, 1919, 1936
LaSalle 1927, 1934, 1937
Ford Mustang 1964, 1979, 1994
2 Chrysler Imperial 1926, 1933
Hurst/Olds Cutlass 1972, 1974
Buick Century 1975, 1976
Pontiac Trans Am 1980, 1989
Dodge Viper 1991, 1996
Oldsmobile Aurora 1997, 2000

By manufacturer

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A list of manufacturers and the frequency in which they either provided official pace cars, or one of their vehicles were selected to pace the Indianapolis 500. This list counts all subsidiary marques, current and defunct, from each manufacturer along with vehicles made by a company that later merged with another on the list.

The process of varying the selection across different manufacturers, which existed from 1911 through 1996, has been abandoned since 1997, with all pace cars exclusively provided by General Motors since that year.

Manufacturer Official pace cars fielded Notes
General Motors 52
Chrysler 13 Includes the National Sextet, Nash Ambassador and Hudson 112, and the former Chrysler Corporation, all of which were later merged into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The 1971 Dodge Challenger was provided by the Indianapolis area Dodge dealers, not by Chrysler Corporation, and driven by Eldon Palmer of Palmer Dodge in Indianapolis.
Ford 11
Studebaker 6 Including Packard vehicles
Stoddard-Dayton 3
Harry C. Stutz 2 Including the 1912 Stutz, made during his ownership of Stutz Motor Company and the H.C.S. 6 of 1921

References

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  1. ^ Koenig, Bill (May 22, 2014). "Detroit's Lost Love Affair With The Indy 500". Auto. Forbes. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "Chevy presents Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Festival Cars". Racer.com. April 3, 2017. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  3. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - May 6, 2011
  4. ^ "Clipped from the Indianapolis News". The Indianapolis News. 30 May 1946. p. 1.
  5. ^ Antique Automobile Club of America: https://forums.aaca.org/topic/2946-1975-indy-500-pace-car/
  6. ^ Powell, Eric (2009-12-18). "Chevrolet Camaro SS To Pace 2010 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race". Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  7. ^ "Sports Now". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ "Wahlberg, Andrettis Team Up For IZOD Fastest Seat In Sports At Indy". Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2010-05-26. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  9. ^ "Wounded Warrior Rides With Andretti at Indy 500". Operation Homefront. Archived from the original on 2012-09-30. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  10. ^ Honda Indy 500 Talking Points
  11. ^ America's Bravest Meets Honda's Fastest
  12. ^ Keith Urban won’t be in town for Indy 500 after hurting back