Every year before the Indy 500, drivers start their engines and the pace car leads them to the starting line. But what is a pace car? And who drives it? Here's everything you need to know about the racing tradition: A pace car leads the field through several warm-up laps prior to the start of the race,

There are many traditions associated with the Indianapolis 500, including how the race begins, with an honorary pace car driver. From the first race in 1911, it is believed that the Indy 500 was the first major event in the world to use a pace car for the start of the race.