Brickyard 400 enthusiasts will get a unique glimpse of the connection between basketball and racing this weekend. The event organizers announced on Tuesday that Indiana Pacers All-Star Pascal Siakam will serve as the pace car driver for the upcoming race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This announcement arrives nearly two months after the Pacers faced the New York Knicks in their final Eastern Conference game, which coincided with the Indianapolis 500 race held nearby. This marks the fourth time a combined Pacer-Racer event has taken place in Indianapolis.
This year, Siakam will lead the racecars to the green flag driving the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS on the historic 2.5-mile oval track, marking the second consecutive year the race is held on this oval after previously using the track’s road course. Doug Boles, president of IndyCar and Speedway, emphasized the close ties between basketball and motorsports in Indianapolis, noting Siakam’s participation is fitting following the Pacers’ impressive postseason run.
Siakam, who started playing basketball at age 17 in Cameroon, has earned three All-NBA selections and won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
Fan Take: This crossover of sports icons highlights the strong cultural bond between basketball and NASCAR in Indianapolis and brings fresh excitement to the Brickyard 400. Having a high-profile athlete like Pascal Siakam participate as pace car driver not only broadens the race’s appeal but also showcases NASCAR’s growing inclusivity and innovative spirit.
