Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars - Pace Lap

Pace Lap

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 notable figures in auto racing or the automobile industry. The driver listed was invited to perform the honor of "pacemaker." In later years, IMS began experimenting with using pop culture celebrities in pace cars, a change that has met with mixed responses from fans.

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 five times. Celebrities James Garner and Marty Robbins were chosen in part due to their experience in racing.

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. Also, this allowed the fans on the mainstretch (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.

In approximately 1974, and firmly by the late '70s, it 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 or special guest drivers. Since 2010, the IndyCar "two-seater" (a modified Indy race car 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 changed to four warm up laps.

Starting in about 1994, the field was observed to be quite straggled during the parade lap(s), and often circulated single-file. On the final pace lap, the field would finally form up into the 11 rows of three on the backstretch, but often it was still loose and not in well 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 entire warm up period.