NASCAR Legend to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the pace car for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500. The role will be one of two for Earnhardt, who will also serve as a commentator for NBC Sports’ coverage of the race.

Earnhardt will drive the 2019 Corvette Grand Sport to lead the field at the beginning of the race. It will be the second time he has driven a pace car at IMS, the first being last year when he drove the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to start the Brickyard 400.

"I was already excited to attend my first Indianapolis 500 with NBC Sports, but driving the Pace Car just takes it to another level," Earnhardt said. "The Corvette Grand Sport is an awesome car, and it’s an honor to be asked to lead the field to the green flag. I’m proud to be a part of such a prestigious event at a place that means so much to racing history. This will be an experience that I’ll cherish forever."

Earnhardt will be part of the first-ever Indy 500 telecast on NBC, which secured a multi-year broadcast deal with INDYCAR last spring. This year’s Indy 500 will take place May 26.