The Indianapolis 500 is all about speed, tradition, and one of the most famous words in motorsports: “Drivers, start your engines!” But before the green flag ever drops, another vehicle gets its own moment in the spotlight. The pace car has become one of the race’s longest-running traditions, leading the field around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before releasing 33 drivers into battle at more than 200 mph. The tradition dates back to the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, when Speedway founder Carl G. Fisher introduced the concept of a rolling start as a safer alternative to the standing starts used at the time.
Over the decades, the role of the Indianapolis 500 pace car evolved from a simple support vehicle into a major marketing opportunity for automakers. Manufacturers began using the race as a stage to debut new models, special editions, and even futuristic concepts. Over the years, it's resulted in a pace car history packed with icons, unexpected choices, and a few vehicles that left fans scratching their heads. Here are 10 of the wildest and weirdest Indianapolis 500 pace cars ever to lead the field.
10. 1934 LaSalle Convertible
Credit: Hyman Ltd.
The 1934 LaSalle Convertible pace car reflected the early era of the Indianapolis 500, when luxury and prestige were just as important as performance. With its flowing Art Deco styling and coachbuilt-focused design, it set the tone for the field in a time when pace cars were still a relatively new tradition at the Speedway. That year’s race was won by Bill Cummings, who dominated the event from the pole position at a time when track conditions were less than optimal.
9. 1984 Pontiac Fiero
Credit: The American Muscle Car Museum
The 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy 500 Pace Car brought something completely different to the Speedway, becoming the smallest pace car in Indianapolis 500 history and the first to feature a 4-cylinder engine. Pontiac used the mid-engine sports car to showcase a new direction for affordable American performance, while the race itself saw Rick Mears capture his second Indy 500 victory, after starting from pole position and finishing standing at the podium.
8. 1973 Cadillac Eldorado
Credit: The American Muscle Car Museum
The 1973 Cadillac Eldorado Indy 500 Pace Car stood out solely for its size. Cadillac participated at a time when the brand was known for smooth cruising, not track duty. Cadillacs of that era were never designed with racing or agility in mind, which highlighted just how much the pace car tradition was about American style. That year’s race was won on lap 133 by Gordon Johncock due to a heavy rain stoppage, driving the No. 20 STP Eagle-Offenhauser.
7. 1962 Studebaker Lark Daytona Convertible
Credit: Classic Auto Mall
The 1962 Studebaker Lark Daytona Convertible was yet another surprising choice for Indianapolis 500 pace car duties, bringing compact and sporty character to the front of the field during an era dominated by larger American cars. Studebaker used the opportunity to spotlight its newly introduced Daytona trim, putting the brand on a national stage. The 1962 Indianapolis 500 witnessed Rodger Ward win his second Indy 500 victory after a hard-fought race.
6. 1990 Chevy Beretta
Credit: The American Muscle Car Museum
The 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Indy Pace Car brought a more modern, sporty look to the Indianapolis 500, showcasing Chevrolet’s front-wheel-drive coupe. A specially prepared convertible version led the field and helped give the Beretta some track-performance credibility outside of its everyday commuter look. At the 1990 Indianapolis 500, Arie Luyendyk took the win while setting a race record for the fastest average speed in Indy 500 history, a mark that stood for more than two decades.
5. 1941 Chrysler Newport by LeBaron
Credit: Darin Schnabel Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
The 1941 Chrysler Newport Indianapolis 500 Pacemaker by LeBaron stands out as one of the most unique pace cars in Indy history, with its handcrafted design, sleek pre-war styling, and luxury-focused Chrysler Imperial roots. It also arrived at a major turning point, as the final Indianapolis 500 before World War II was paused for four years. That year’s race produced one of Indy’s strangest finishes as Mauri Rose took over Floyd Davis’ car mid-race, with the two ultimately sharing the victory.
4. 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Credit: Mecum Auctions
The 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car was very much a product of its time, when Indy pace cars were chosen for purely brand exposure. Built as a comfortable, mainstream American convertible, it was never intended to be a track-ready race car, which made its appearance leading the field at Indianapolis all the more entertaining for fans. That year’s race was won by Rick Mears, leading the final 78 laps to secure the first-ever Indy 500 victory for Chevrolet engines.
3. 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
Credit: The American Muscle Car Museum
The 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada was one of the most unusual choices to ever lead the Indianapolis 500 field, making history as the first SUV selected as the race’s official pace vehicle. It also marked one of Oldsmobile’s final major moments before the brand was discontinued, turning the Bravada into an unexpected piece of Indy history. The 2001 race saw Hélio Castroneves score his first Indianapolis 500 win, the start of a career that would eventually make him one of the event’s all-time greats.
2. 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora
Credit: The American Muscle Car Museum
The 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Indy 500 Pace Car showed up at Indianapolis as an example of Oldsmobile’s attempt to modernize its lineup, but underneath it was still a big sedan built for comfort, not competition. Other than its V8, the Aurora lacked the aggression and engineering focus of a true pace car, making its role on race day more about marketing and brand identity. The 1997 Indianapolis 500 was won by Arie Luyendyk, who delivered one of the fastest runs in the event’s history.
1. 2003 Chevrolet SSR
Credit: Mecum Auctions
The 2003 Chevrolet SSR Indy 500 Pace Car was one of the more unconventional choices in Indy history, using Chevrolet’s retro-styled convertible pickup to lead the field at the Speedway. More of a showpiece, the SSR took to the track in a bright purple finish with a 290-horsepower 5.3L V8. The 2003 Indianapolis 500 itself was won by Gil de Ferran, his first and only win at Indy before retiring later that year.
Source: Indy Motor Speedway
