INDIANAPOLIS — Danica Patrick will drive the pace car at this year's 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 30, returning to the track where she made racing history.
The record-breaking race car driver will kick off the Indy 500 in this year's pace car, a 2021 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette Stingray hardtop convertible.
"I am very honored to drive the Corvette Stingray Pace Car this year at the Indy 500," Patrick said. "It is even more special because of the past year we have all endured, and it will be so nice to see fans back in the stands."
Last year, practice, qualifications and the race were all run without fans in the stands. But this year, things are looking up. With loosing COVID-19 restrictions in Marion County and across the state, fans will be in the stands for this year's race.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be at 40 percent capacity during the race. That's a total of approximately 135,000 fans.
There will also be other health and safety measures in place:
- Face coverings will be required and enforced throughout the venue.
- Temperature checks will be administered upon public gate entry.
- There will be spacing between customer groups in the grandstands. In addition, spacing will be enforced throughout the venue.
- Spectator viewing mounds will be closed to the general public throughout the Month of May, with no Race Day General Admission tickets sold.
- Frequent cleaning and sanitation processes will be in place, with hand sanitizer and washing stations readily available.
Live coverage of the race starts at 11 a.m. ET on NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network, with a global audience watching Patrick drive the Arctic White Stingray, the first Corvette convertible since 2008 to pace "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
"I have always loved Chevy vehicles, and the Corvette convertible is such a beautiful car," Patrick said. "Maybe they will let me drive it home!"
Driving the Corvette Stingray convertible will be part of a busy race day for Patrick at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
She also is serving as a studio analyst for NBC's live race broadcast with host Mike Tirico and fellow analyst Jimmie Johnson.
