Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars

Year	Pace Car	Driver	Driver's Affiliation
1911	Stoddard Dayton Model 11A	Carl Fisher (1)	Speedway President
1912	Stutz Roadster	Carl Fisher (2)	Speedway President
1913	Stoddard Dayton	Carl Fisher (3)	Speedway President
1914	Stoddard Dayton	Carl Fisher (4)	Speedway President
1915	Packard Model 548	Carl Fisher (5)	Speedway President
1916	Premier Model 656	Frank Smith	Executive of Universal Motor Parts Corp.
1919	Packard 335 V12	Jesse Vincent	Packard Engineer
1920	Marmon Model 34	Barney Oldfield (1)	Former Indy driver
1921	H.C.S. Series 6	Harry C. Stutz	President of H.C.S Motor Car Co.
1922	National Sextet "8"	Barney Oldfield (2)	Former Indy driver
1923	Duesenburg Model A	Fred Duesenburg	Head of Duesenberg
1924	Cole V-8 Series 890	Louis Pettijohn	Cole test driver
1925	Rickenbacker "8"	Eddie Rickenbacker	WW I flying ace, Owner of Rickenbacker Auto
1926	Chrysler Imperial E-80	Louis Chevrolet	Former Indy driver
1927	LaSalle V8 Series 303	Willard "Big Boy" Rader (1)	GM test driver
1928	Marmon "8" Model 78	Joe Dawson	1912 Indy 500 winner
1929	Studebaker Series F-10 President	George Hunt	Studebacker test driver
1930	Cord L-29	E.L. Cord	Owner of Cord
1931	Cadillac 370 Tweleve	Willard "Big Boy" Rader (2)	GM test driver
1932	Lincoln Model KB	Edsel Ford	President of Ford
1933	Chrysler Imperial	Byron Foy	President of DeSoto
1934	LaSalle Model 350	Willard "Big Boy" Rader (3)	GM test driver
1935	Ford 48	Harry Mack	Ford executive
1936	Packard 120	Tommy Milton	1920 & 1922 Indy 500 winner
1937	LaSalle Series 50	Ralph DePalma	1915 Indy 500 winner
1938	Hudson 112	Stuart Baits	VP of Hudson
1939	Buick Roadmaster Series 80	Charles Chayne	Head of Buick engineering
1940	Studebaker Champion	Ab Jenkins	Endurance and land speed driver
1941	Chrylser Newport Phaeton	A.B. Couture	Chrysler official
1946	Lincoln Continental	Henry Ford II	President of Ford
1947	Nash Ambassador	George Mason	President of Nash
1948	Chevrolet Fleetmaster Six-Series	Wilbur Shaw (1)	1937, 1939, 1940 Indy 500 winner
1949	Oldsmobile 88 "Rocket"	Wilbur Shaw (2)	1937, 1939, 1940 Indy 500 winner
1950	Mercury	Benson Ford (1)	Head of Lincoln-Mercury
1951	Chrysler New Yorker V-8	Dave Wallace	President of Chrysler
1952	Studebaker Commander	P.O. Peterson	VP of Studebaker
1953	Ford Crestline Sunliner	Willaim Ford (1)	Son of Edsel Ford
1954	Dodge Royal 500	William Newburg	Head of Dodge
1955	Chevrolet Bel Air	Thomas H. Keating	Head of Chevrolet
1956	DeSoto Fireflight Pacesetter	L.Irving Woolson	President of DeSoto
1957	Mercury Turnpike Cruiser	Francis C. Reith	General Manager of Mercury
1958	Pontiac Bonneville	Sam Hanks (1)	1957 Indy 500 winner
1959	Buick Electra 225	Sam Hanks (2)	1957 Indy 500 winner
1960	Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight	Sam Hanks (3)	1957 Indy 500 winner
1961	Ford Thunderbird	Sam Hanks (4)	1957 Indy 500 winner
1962	Studebaker Lark	Sam Hanks (5)	1957 Indy 500 winner
1963	Chrysler 300	Sam Hanks (6)	1957 Indy 500 winner
1964	Ford Mustang	Benson Ford (2)	Head of Lincoln-Mercury
1965	Plymouth Sport Fury	P.N. Buckminster	General Manager of Chrysler-Plymouth
1966	Mercury Comet Cyclone GT	Benson Ford (3)	Head of Lincoln-Mercury
1967	Chevrolet Camaro	Mauri Rose	1941, 1947, 1948 Indy 500 winner
1968	Ford Fairlane GT	William Ford (2)	VP of Ford
1969	Chevrolet Camaro SS	Jim Rathmann (1)	1960 Indy 500 winner
1970	Oldsmobile 442	Rodger Ward	1959 & 1962 Indy 500 winner
1971	Dodge Challenger	Eldon Palmer	Indianapolis Dodge dealer
1972	Hurst/Olds Cutlass	Jim Rathmann (2)	1960 Indy 500 winner
1973	Cadillac Eldorado	Jim Rathmann (3)	1960 Indy 500 winner
1974	Hurst/Olds Cutlass	Jim Rathmann (4)	1960 Indy 500 winner
1975	Buick Century Custom "Free Spirit"	James Garner (1)	Television and movie actor
1976	Turbocharged Buick V-6	Marty Robbins	Singer, stock car driver
1977	Oldsmobile Delta 88	James Garner (2)	Television and movie actor
1978	Chevrolet Corvette C3 Coupe	Jim Rathmann (5)	1960 Indy 500 winner
1979	Ford Mustang	Jackie Stewart	Former Indy, F1 driver
1980	Pontiac Turbo Trans Am	Johnnie Parsons	1950 Indy 500 winner
1981	Buick Regal V6	Duke Nalon (1)	Former Indy driver
1982	Chevrolet Camaro Z28	Jim Rathmann (6)	1960 Indy 500 winner
1983	Buick Riviera Convertible	Duke Nalon (2)	Former Indy driver
1984	Pontiac Indy Fiero	John Callies	Head of Pontiac Motorsports Engineering
1985	Oldsmobile Calais 500	James Garner (3)	Television and movie actor
1986	Chevrolet Corvette C4	Chuck Yeager (1)	Retired USAF Brigadeir General
1987	Chrysler LeBaron	Carroll Shelby (1)	Former racer, Chrysler consultant
1988	Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme	Chuck Yeager (2)	Retired USAF Brigadeir General
1989	20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am	Bobby Unser (1)	1968, 1975, 1981 Indy 500 winner
1990	Chevrolet Beretta	Jim Perkins (1)	General Manager of Chevrolet
1991	Dodge Viper RT/10	Carroll Shelby (2)	Former racer, Chrysler consultant
1992	Cadillac Allante	Bobby Unser (2)	1968, 1975, 1981 Indy 500 winner
1993	Chevrolet Camaro Z-28	Jim Perkins (2)	General Manager of Chevrolet
1994	Ford Mustang Cobra	Parnelli Jones (1)	1963 Indy 500 winner
1995	Chevrolet Corvette C4	Jim Perkins (3)	General Manager of Chevrolet
1996	Dodge Viper GTS	Bob Lutz	President of Chrysler
1997	Oldsmobile Aurora	Johnny Rutherford	1974, 1976, 1980 Indy 500 winner
1998	Chevrolet Corvette C5	*Parnelli Jones (2)	1963 Indy 500 winner
1999	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	Jay Leno	Television comedian ("The Tonight Show"), auto collector
2000	Oldsmobile Aurora	Anthony Edwards	Television ("E.R.") and movie actor
2001	Oldsmobile Bravada SUV	Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp	Fashion Model, IRL Spokesperson
2002	Chevrolet Corvette C5 50th Anniversary Edition	Jim Caviezal	Motion picture actor ("The Count of Monte Cristo")
2003	Chevrolet SSR 'Signature Series'	Herb Fishel	Executive Director of GM Racing
2004	Chevrolet Corvette	Morgan Freeman	Academy Award winning film actor, director, narrator
2005	Chevrolet Corvette	Gen. Colin Powell	Former U.S. Secretary of State
2006	Chevrolet Corvette Z06	Lance Armstrong	Seven-time Tour de France winner
2007	Chevrolet Corvette Z06	Patrick Dempsey	Television actor ("Grey's Anatomy"), co-owner of Vision Racing
2008	Chevrolet Corvette Z06 E85	Emerson Fittipaldi	1989 and 1993 Indy 500 winner
2009	'10 Chevrolet Camaro SS	Josh Duhamel	Film actor ("Transformers")
2010	Chevrolet Camaro SS	Robin Roberts	Television host ("Good Morning America")

* In 1998, professional golfer Greg Norman was scheduled to drive the pace car, but withdrew the position after requiring shoulder surgury a few weeks before. Former 500 winner Parnelli Jones was chosen as a replacement.

Since the pack-up rule was established in 1979, the celebrity pace car driver has driven the pace car only at the start of the race, and not during caution periods. With the known exception of former Indy driver Dennis "Duke" Nalon, during cautions the pace car is driven by an experienced official. In 1988, Chuck Yeager drove the pace car at the start, but the caution flag came out on the first lap. He was still guiding the pace car down the pit road, and was instructed to return to the track and pick up the leaders. He led the field for the first several laps of the race under yellow, then relinquished the seat for Don Bailey.

The drivers of the pace car during caution periods were as follows:

1979: Jim Rathman
1980:
1981: Duke Nalon
1982-2001: Don Bailey
2002: Joie Chitwood, III
2003: Johnny Rutherford
2004-2005: Joie Chitwood, III
2006-2010: Johnny Rutherford

Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Specifications

Year	Pace Car	Body Style	Engine	Horsepower	Transmission
1911	Stoddard Dayton	2-dr roadster	251-cid I-4	40 (gross)	3-sp manual
1912	Stutz Roadster	2-dr roadster	390-cid T-head I-4	60 (gross)	3-sp manual
1913	Stoddard Dayton	2-dr roadster	525-cid straight-6	70 (gross)	3-sp manual
1914	Stoddard Dayton	2-dr roadster	525-cid straight-6	70 (gross)	3-sp manual
1915	Pacard "6"	4-dr touring car	415-cid straight-6	60 (gross)	3-sp manual
1916	Premier "6"	2-dr speedster	414-cid straight-6	38.4 (net)	3-sp manual
1919	Packard V12	2-dr roadster	424-cid V-12	90 (gross)	3-sp manual
1920	Marmon 34	2-dr roadster	340-cid straight-6	82 (brake)	3-sp manual
1921	H.C.S. Series 6	2-dr roadster	289-cid straight-6	80 (estimated)	3-sp manual
1922	National Sextet	2-dr roadster	303-cid straight-6	71 (gross)	3-sp manual
1923	Duesenburg Model A	4-dr touring car	260-cid straight-8	90 (gross)	3-sp manual
1924	Cole Master Model V8	2-dr roadster	298-cid V-8	80 (gross)	3-sp manual
1925	Rickenbacker Vertical "8"	4-dr convertible phaeton	315-cid straight-8	80 (gross)	3-sp manual
1926	Chrysler Imperial Model 80	2-dr roadster	288-cid straight-6	92 (gross)	3-sp manual
1927	LaSalle 303 V8	2-dr roadster	303-cid V-8	75	3-sp manual
1928	Marmon Model 78	2-dr roadster	217-cid straight-8	86 (gross)	3-sp manual
1929	Studebacker President	2-dr roadster	337-cid straight-8	114 (gross)	3-sp manual
1930	Cord L-29 Cabrolet V8	2-dr convertible	299-cid straight-8	125 (gross)	3-sp manual
1931	Cadillad 370 Roadster	2-dr roadster	368-cid V-12	135 (gross)	3-sp manual
1932	Lincoln KB Sports Roadster	2-dr roadster	448-cid V-12	150 (gross)	3-sp manual
1933	Chrysler Imperial Custom "8"	2-dr roadster	385-cid straight-8	135 (gross)	3-sp manual
1934	LaSalle Series 350	2-dr roadster	240-cid	95 (gross)	3-sp manual
1935	Ford 48 Convertible V8	4-dr convertible	221-cid V-8	85 (gross)	3-sp manual
1936	Packard 120 Convertible	2-dr convertible	282-cid straight-8	120 (gross)	3-sp manual
1937	LaSalle Series 37-50 Roadster	2-dr convertible	322-cid V-8	125 (gross)	3-sp manual
1938	Hudson 112	2-dr convertible	175-cid straight-6	83 (gross)	3-sp manual
1939	Buick Roadmaster	4-dr convertible	320-cid straight-8	141 (gross)	3-sp manual
1940	Studebacker Champion	2-dr coupe	164-cid straight-6	78	3-sp manual
1941	Chrylser Newport	4-dr dual cowl-phaeton	324-cid straight-8	143 (gross)	3-sp semi-auto
1946	Lincoln Continental Cabriolet	2-dr convertible	292-cid V-12	125 (gross)	3-sp manual
1947	Nash Ambasardor	4-dr sedan	235-cid straight-6	112 (gross)	3-sp manual
1948	Chevrolet Stylemaster	2-dr convertible	217-cid I-6	90 (gross)	3-sp manual
1949	Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Convertible	2-dr convertible	304-cid V-8	135 (gross)	4-sp automatic
1950	Mercury Convertible	2-dr convertible	255-cid V-8	110 (gross)	3-sp manual
1951	Chrysler New Yorker	2-dr convertible	331-cid V-8	180 (gross)	2-sp semi-auto
1952	Studebacker Commander	2-dr convertible	232-cid V-8	120 (gross)	3-sp manual
1953	Ford Sunliner	2-dr convertible	239-cid V-8	110 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1954	Dodge Royal 500 Convertible	2-dr convertible	241-cid V-8	170 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1955	Chevrolet Bel Air	2-dr convertible	265-cid V-8	180 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1956	DeSoto Fireflight/Adventurer	2-dr convertible	341-cid V-8	320 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1957	Mercury Turnpike Cruiser	2-dr convertible	368-cid V-8	290 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1958	Pontiac Bonneville	2-dr convertible	370-cid V-8	330 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1959	Buick Electra 225	2-dr convertible	401-cid V-8	325 (gross)	2-sp automatic
1960	Oldsmobile 98 Convertible	2-dr convertible	394-cid V-8	315 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1961	Ford Thunderbird	2-dr convertible	390-cid V-8	300 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1962	Studebacker Lark Daytona	2-dr convertible	289-cid V-8	210 (gross)	4-sp manual
1963	Chrysler 300J Convertible	2-dr convertible	413-cid V-8	360 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1964	Ford Mustang Convertible	2-dr convertible	289-cid V-8	271 (gross)	4-sp manual
1965	Plymouth Sport Fury	2-dr convertible	383-cid V-8	270 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1966	Mercury Comet Cyclone GT	2-dr convertible	390-cid V-8	335 (gross)	4-sp manual
1967	Chevrolet Camaro SS 396	2-dr convertible	396-cid V-8	375 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1968	Ford Fairlame Torino GT	2-dr convertible	427-cid V-8	390 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1969	Chevrolet Camaro SS 369	2-dr convertible	396-cid V-8	375 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1970	Oldsmobile 442	2-dr convertible	455-cid V-8	365 (gross)	4-sp manual
1971	Dodge Challenger	2-dr convertible	383-cid V-8	300 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1972	Hurst/Oldsmobile Cutlass	2-dr convertible	455-cid V-8	300 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1973	Cadillac Eldorado	2-dr convertible	500-cid V-8	500 (gross)	3-sp automatic
1974	Hurst/Oldsmobile Cutlass W30	2-dr coupe	455-cid V-8	275 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1975	Buick Century Custom V8	2-dr coupe	455-cid V-8	325 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1976	Turbocharged Buick Century V6	2-dr coupe	231-cid V-6 turbo	306 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1977	Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale	2-dr convertible	403-cid V-8	185 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1978	Chevrolet 25th Anniversary Corvette C3 Coupe	2-dr coupe	350-cid V-8	220 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1979	Ford Mustang	2-dr coupe	302-cid V-8	280 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1980	Pontiac Turbo Trans Am	2-dr coupe	301-cid V-8 turbo	210 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1981	Buick Regal V6	2-dr coupe	252-cid V-6	281 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1982	Chevrolet Camaro Z28	2-dr coupe	350-cid V-8	250 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1983	c	2-dr convertible	252-cid V-6 turbo	450 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1984	Pontiac Indy Fiero	2-dr coupe	164-cid I-4	232 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1985	Oldsmobile Calais 500	2-dr convertible	164-cid I-4	215 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1986	Chevrolet Corvette C4 Convertible	2-dr convertible	350-cid V-8	230 (SAE net)	4-sp manual
1987	Chrysler LeBaron Convertible	2-dr convertible	135-cid I-4 turbo	174 (SAE net)	5-sp manual
1988	Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme	2-dr convertible	138-cid I-4 turbo	250 (SAE net)	3-sp automatic
1989	Pontiac 20th Anniversary Trans Am	2-dr coupe	231-cid V-6	250 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1990	Chevrolet Beretta Convertible	2-dr convertible	206-cid V-6	225 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1991	Dodge Viper V10	2-dr roadster	488-cid V-10	400 (SAE net)	6-sp manual
1992	Cadillac Allante Convertible	2-dr convertible	279-cid V-8	290 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1993	Chevrolet Camaro Z28	2-dr coupe	350-cid V-8	275 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1994	Ford Mustang Cobra	2-dr convertible	302-cid V-8	240 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1995	Chevrolet Corvette C4	2-dr convertible	350-cid V-8	300 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1996	Dodge Viper GTS	2-dr coupe	488-cid V-10	450 (SAE net)	6-sp manual
1997	Oldsmobile Aurora	4-dr coupe	244 cid V-8	250 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1998	Chevrolet Corvette C5 Convertible	2-dr convertible	348 cid V-8	345 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
1999	Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS	2-dr coupe	231 cid V-6	230 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2000	Oldsmobile Aurora	4-dr coupe	244 cid V-8	250 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2001	Oldsmobile Bravada	4-dr sport utility vehicle	256 cid I-6	270 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2002	Chevrolet Corvette	2-dr coupe	348 cid V-8	350 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2003	Chevrolet SSR	2-dr pick-up roadster	323 cid V-8	290 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2004	Chevrolet Corvette C5 Convertible	2-dr convertible	348 cid V-8	350 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2005	Chevrolet Corvette C6 Convertible	2-dr convertible	366 cid V-8	400 (SAE net)	4-sp automatic
2006	Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 Coupe	2-dr coupe	427 cid V-8	505 (SAE net)	6-sp manual short throw
2007	Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 Convertible	2-dr convertible	427 cid V-8	505 (SAE net)	6-sp manual short throw
2008	Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 E85 Coupe	2-dr coupe
2009	'10 Chevrolet Camaro SS6 Z06 E85 Coupe	2-dr coupe	6.2L LS3 V-8	426	Tremec 6-speed manual

 Almost every year since 1936, one of the the pace cars, or its equivalent replica, has been awarded to the race winner. In 1941, there were only six copies of the special Chrysler Newport, and no production models created, so the winners did not recieve it. In 1946, an oil painting and a trip to Italy was substituted as the award, but race winner George Robson died in September of that same year before he recieved it. In 1962, the Studebaker Avanti was scheduled to be the pace car, but the Lark was used instead. Race winner Rodger Ward was presented with an Avanti. In 1991, the Dodge Viper was a pre-production model, and only two were in existance. Winner Rick Mears was awarded instead a Dodge Stealth, which was used throughout the month of May as an "Official Car."

 In 1972, Dolly Cole became the first female to ride in the pace car.

 The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum reportedly has possession of one of the actual pace cars from every race 1975-2005. In addition, they have several others, including one from 1911. Each year's race may feature two or three actual race-prepared pace cars. Typically the manufacturer keeps possesion of one, the Speedway museum keeps one, and if there are others, the winner may be presented with one. Sometimes, the winner is provided with a production replica, as the race-prepared model is frequently a modified version, making it non-street legal, or impractical to drive, for example missing air conditioning or other features.

 Each year the manufacturer provides the Speedway, participants, and other dignitaries with numerous festival cars. In many cases, the festival cars are the same car as the actual pace car. Sometimes the festival cars are the same make and model, but a lower option. For example, the 1994 pace car was the Ford Mustang Cobra, while all of the festival cars were a Ford Mustang GTS. In some years, when the pace car is exceptionally exclusive, the festival cars are simply another model. In 1996, the pace car was a Dodge Viper GTS, and the festival cars were Dodge Sirrus or Intrepids, and Dodge Ram pickup trucks. In most cases, following the race, the festival cars are acquired by local Indianapolis dealers, and sold to the public. Across the country, the manufacturers frequently sell pace car option packages, which feature paint and decaling to match the pace car. These cars, however, often do not have the same features as the actual pace cars.

 During the parade laps before the race, typically there are more than one pace car on the track leading the field. The first cars in line are parade cars, usually driven by Speedway dignitaries or other invited guests, often carrying special guests as passengers. After one or two parade laps, the additional pace cars pull off the track such that the official pace car leads the field alone. In 1994, Parnelli Jones drove the official pace car, while A.J. Foyt drove one of the additional parade cars, and Alex Trottman of Ford, drove a second parade car. Members of the Hulman-George family are frequent drivers and/or passengers of the pace lap parade cars. Tony Hulman was a frequent passenger.

 The pace car that leads the field at the start is sometimes not the same pace car used to lead the field during caution periods. It is not uncommon for a seperate in-race pace car to be parked in the pit area, ready to pull out when necessary. While the pace car used for the pace laps is driven by the celebrity driver, the in-race pace car, whether seperate or the same car, is always driven by a trained official.

 On May 19-21, 2006, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Reunion, organized by the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum. The event featured a reported 188 previous pace cars and pace car replicas.

 A 1972 pace car, from Mark Donohue's victory, along with a 2006 pace car (Sam Hornish, Jr.) are on display at the Penske Racing Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

 Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser, Sr. reportedly took special car of his pace cars, and supposedly rarely drove them, if at all. He favored keeping them garaged and stored. His cars now appear at the Unser family museum in Albuqueue, New Mexico.

 2001 and 2002 Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves keeps his pace cars in a garage in his home in Miami, Florida. He drives them frequently, albiet with care.

 The pace car presented to 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal was at one time, driven around with a vanity license plate saying "1 1986".

 Unlike the previous Viper pace car in 1991, Buddy Lazier, the 1996 Indy 500 winner was awarded a Dodge Viper GTS. He was not given a festival car as a substitute.

 The pace car presented to 1969 Indy 500 Mario was driven home to Pennsylvania by Mario's twin brother Aldo. On the way home, he suffered a flat tire. Andretti reportedly sold the car to his brother-in-law.

 In 1971, the Dodge Challenger pace car, driven by local auto dealer Eldon Palmer, crashed into a photographers' stand at the end of the pits. The stand collapsed, and injured 29 people. Dr. Vincente Alvarez, a freelance photographer from Argentina, was one of two on the stand who were seriously injured. Alvarez survived, and died around 1998. Speedway President Tony Hulman, who was riding in the pace car was among the injured, suffering a sprained ankle. Also riding in the pace car were ABC-TV's Chris Schenkle, and astronaut John Glenn. During the practice runs days before the race, Palmer used an orange flag (some reports say it was an orange cone) to mark his braking point. It is not unusual for the pace car to be traveling up to 125 mph at that point. Unfortunately, the flag had been removed by mistake, and Palmer was well beyond the brake point before he realized it was missing. Instead of perilously driving back onto the racing surface, he stood on the brakes and plowed right into the stand. In the years immediately following the accident, the celebrity pace car driver typically chosen was someone with previous racing experience. Although those rules have been since relaxed, the celebrity driver is still required to undergo lengthly training and testing trials. In years following, the area south of the pits was reconfigured for safety purposes.

 In 1977, a hot, 90 degree day caused problems as the battery in the pace car went dead. Officials quickly changed it out for duty.

 During the offseason before the 1957 race, a new pit lane was constructed on the mainstrech, which included a separating wall between the track and pits. Rather than lining the cars up in their traditional rows of three on the racing surface, the cars were lined up single file in the new pit area. In preparation for the start, the cars were to pull out of the pits and assemble into the rows of three once they got onto the track. While the cars were trying to get into the proper order, the somewhat confusing situation saw rookie Elmer George run into the back of Eddie Russo, eliminating both cars before the start.

In 1958, at the onset, the start of the race began under confusion. For the second year in a row, the cars were lined up single-file in the new pit area. As the pace car, driven by Sam Hanks, pulled down the mainstrech, the field was to pull out of the pits and begin assembling behind him. All three drivers in the front row, Dick Rathmann, Ed Elisian, and Jimmy Reece, inadvertantly slipped by the pace car, and were unable to let it catch up. The front row at that point was circling the track at quite a distance ahead of the pace car and the rest of the field. Hanks pulled the pace car off the track after the pace lap and stopped in the pits. The field organized, and an extra pace lap was run before the green flag dropped. On the first lap in turn three, two cars of the front row triggered a fifteen-car pileup which eliminated eight cars, and took the life of driver Pat O'Connor. Rookie Jerry Unser rode over the wheel of another car, and flew over the outside wall. Bob Veith, Dick Rathmann, Ed Elisian, Pat O'Connor, Paul Goldsmith, Jerry Unser, Len Sutton, and Art Bisch were all out of the race. Only Reece survived from the front row. In subsequent years, the field was lined up on the mainstrech in their traditonal rows of three, as had been done previously.

 Originally, the pace car led the field around the track for one warm-up lap, then released the field to start the race. Starting in 1957, due to the new method of lining cars up (in the pits), the pace car took the field around for two laps, one parade lap and one pace lap. Around 1974, officials changed the procedure to two parade laps and one pace lap, for a total of three laps before the start.

 The 1983 Buick Riviera Convertible pace car was the last one to feature the signature flags on the rear bumper. For at least a couple years prior, the pace cars had been featuring strobe lights or rotating beacons for safety purposes. By 1985, pace cars featured only strobe lighting.

 In 2008, two seperate, unique, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 pace cars were provided for use. The pace car intended for use during the pace laps at the start of the race was a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept coupe that runs on E85 ethanol fuel. The other Official Pace Car was a black-and-silver commemorative edition convertible that marked the 30th anniversary of the first Corvette pace car (1978).