Pacers All-Star Victor Oladipo will drive the 2019 Chevrolet pace car to start Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. He’s the first active Indianapolis athlete and just the third non-racing athlete to be given that honor.

Oladipo is arriving in Indianapolis on Friday and will get his first chance behind the ZR1 Pace Car. Chevrolet flew in Ron Fellows from Las Vegas to trainer Oladipo ahead of Sunday.

On this podcast, I sit down with Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles to discuss Oladipo’s involvement in the largest one-day sporting event in the world.

“One of our biggest challenges every year is who should drive the pace car,” Boles explained. “You want somebody who makes a statement, somebody that people recognize, and we started thinking through it. And for what Victor Oladipo did with the team, really what the entire team did and the way they represented the city of Indianapolis around the country, we thought here’s a guy that’s local, but on a national stage.

“He’s a perfect guy to drive our pace car and we can’t wait. It’s almost to the Pacers for the way they represented us this year.”

The 8-speed car has more horsepower (755) than an Indy Car, and can go 0-to-60 in 2.85 seconds. There’s a learning curve to it, and Oladipo with have former IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher by his side.

I’m honored to lead the #Indy500 field in the @TeamChevy Pace Car this Memorial Day weekend come out and support and I will see you there!!! @Pacers fans wave to me from @IMS grandstands on Race Day.— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) May 17, 2018

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Topics Discussed:

* Why Oladipo is a great fit

* The selection process between IMS and Chevrolet

* How Oladipo becomes an ambassador for the event

* Oladipo being the first active pro athlete in Indy to do so

* Chevrolet is flying Ron Fellows, their top performance driver trainer