Indiana's football coach Curt Cignetti, who won a national title in 2025, will drive the pace car at the 2026 Indianapolis 500.

Curt Cignetti, who led Indiana University to its first national football championship in 2025, has been named the honorary pace car driver for the 110th Indianapolis 500, set for May 24, 2026. The announcement was made during the World Baseball Classic final on Fox. Cignetti, who has a 27-2 record since taking over in November 2024, guided Indiana to its first Big Ten title since 1945 and won 14 national coach of the year awards. He recently signed an eight-year, $13.2 million-per-year contract extension. His selection honors his historic season and joins a legacy of prominent figures driving the pace car.