Indy 500

Wheat Hotchkiss

Tyrese Haliburton, who had a breakout season with the Indiana Pacers in 2022-23, has been named honorary Pace Car driver for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 28.

Haliburton will drive the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 hardtop convertible and lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“It’s a tremendous honor to be given the opportunity to drive the Pace Car and lead the field to start the Indy 500,” Haliburton said. “Basketball and racing are big in Indiana, and it’s such a cool experience to represent the Pacers at the biggest race in the world.”

During the 2022-23 NBA season, Haliburton, a first-time NBA All-Star, became the first player in NBA history to average 20 or more points and 10 or more assists and to shoot 40 percent or better from three-point range. In his second season with the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton averaged 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game over 56 starts.

Haliburton ranked fourth among all guards in the NBA during the season for number of double-doubles posted (32). He became the first player to record 40+ assists and no turnovers over any three-game span in NBA history.

Originally selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by Sacramento, Haliburton has averaged 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.6 steals over 191 games (153 starts) during three seasons with the Kings and Pacers. He has posted 62 double-doubles in his career, including 43 with the Pacers.

“Tyrese had a breakout season for the Indiana Pacers this year, and he’s the perfect fit to lead the field at the Racing Capital of the World,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Tyrese has power and speed on the court, so driving the Corvette Z06 Pace Car should be a natural fit.”

Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 20th time overall and since 1978 for America’s favorite sports car.

The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, 2023. Visit&nbsp;IMS.com&nbsp;for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities at IMS.

haliburton-to-drive-pace-car-at-107th-indy-500

Haliburton to Drive Pace Car at 107th Indy 500

nbaplatformservices

Justin Holiday and JaKarr Sampson Attend Indy 500

justin-holiday-and-jakarr-sampson-attend-indy-500

indgrapp08

With the announcement that Victor Oladipo will be driving the pace car at the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, applause for the pick quickly spread across social media.

Following a trade that brought Oladipo back to Indiana, where he spent three years playing college basketball, the fifth-year pro turned in his finest season to date, captivating fans with big-time shots and a seemingly limitless supply of energy.

Oladipo was named to his first All-Star Game, is a finalist for Most Improved Player, and will now become the first Pacers player ever to drive the pace car at the Indianapolis 500.

Check out some of the reactions to Oladipo being selected for the racing honor.

fans-and-media-react-to-oladipos-selection-as-pace-car-driver

Fans and Media React to Oladipo's Selection as Pace Car Driver

admin

On Saturday, May 27, the 2017 Slam Dunk Contest champion Glenn Robinson III will appear in the IPL 500 Festival Parade and will be joined by Boomer and the Pacemates.

The parade features all 33 drivers of the Indianapolis 500 and several floats celebrating race weekend in Indiana.

Last season, Pacers center Myles Turner rode in the parade on the pace car from the 79th Indianapolis 500.

slam-dunk-contest-champion-glenn-robinson-iii-to-appear-in-ipl-500-festival-parade

Slam Dunk Contest Champion Glenn Robinson III to Appear in IPL 500 Festival Parade

Two Hoosier traditions joined forces at this year's 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race when "Indiana's Game" met "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Indiana Pacers forward Paul George joined 14-year old Riley kid Tori Gwyn and Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee in an IU Health LifeLine helicopter to deliver the green flag that signals the start of the race.

Photo Gallery: Paul George, Tori Gwyn, Pat McAfee Deliver Green Flag »

PG and crew flew in from across the city to the Speedway, landing on the inside of Turn 1 before taking a lap around the track in an official Indy 500 pace car with the flag.

Tori, a native of Paoli who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2009, was selected by Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health for this special experience for her display of strength and courage under stress that exemplifies Riley patients. She rode in on the same medical transport helicopter that rushed her to Riley at IU Health on a summer day in 2014 after she developed diabetic ketoacidosis – a life threatening complication that occurs when elevated blood sugar and insulin deficiency causes the body to produce high levels of blood acids called ketones, which act as a poison.

Riley doctors and nurses were able to stabilize Tori and get her back on track, and she has done well at maintaining her insulin management. Today, Tori is an 8th grade student at Paoli Junior-Senior High School who enjoys singing in the school choir. She is looking forward to her first Indy 500 and is eager to meet NBA star Paul George.

Riley at IU Health is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best children's hospitals in endocrinology and treating diabetes. Thousands of infants, children and adolescents are treated each year for diabetes and other endocrine disorders, including thyroid disease, Turner syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Indy 500

Haliburton to Drive Pace Car at 107th Indy 500

Justin Holiday and JaKarr Sampson Attend Indy 500

Fans and Media React to Oladipo's Selection as Pace Car Driver

Slam Dunk Contest Champion Glenn Robinson III to Appear in IPL 500 Festival Parade

Paul George Delivers Green Flag for Indy 500

500 Festival Parade

Luis Scola at Carb Day 2015