Curt Cignetti led arguably the greatest story in sports last season, as he guided Indiana football to a perfect 16-0 season capped by the program’s first national championship.
Now, the Hoosiers head coach can add the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” to his resume. Cignetti will lead the 33-driver field to the green flag in the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, per an announcement during the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday.
“His Hoosiers have been nothing short of remarkable, and their National Championship run inspired our entire state,” IndyCar and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said in a press release Tuesday. “He’s the perfect choice to drive the Chevrolet Pace Car, and I know his introduction on Race Day will bring out a special roar of appreciation from our crowd.”
Cignetti accumulated a 27-2 record across his first two seasons at Indiana, winning 14 of the 17 national coach of the year awards he was eligible for. He led the program to its first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 before winning the Big Ten Championship, the Rose Bowl, the Peach Bowl and the national championship in his second season.
Cignetti follows Michael Strahan, Ken Griffey Jr. and Tyrese Haliburton as pace car drivers over the last three Indianapolis 500s. Cignetti will drive the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which will sport a livery that will be announced later.
Former IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher will pilot the pace car during any caution period throughout the famed race, which is slated to begin at 12:45 p.m. May 24 on Fox.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football offseason.
