Pace Car

A pace car is a special vehicle that leads race cars around the track at a controlled speed during caution periods to ensure driver safety and allow track workers to clear debris or handle incidents without stopping the race completely.

Also known as a safety car in many racing series, the pace car serves as a temporary speed limit on wheels. When there's an accident, debris on the track, or dangerous weather conditions, race officials deploy the pace car to slow down all the competing vehicles to a safe, manageable speed. This prevents drivers from racing through hazardous conditions while track marshals work to resolve the problem.

The pace car has been part of motorsport since the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, making it one of racing's oldest safety traditions. During a caution period, the pace car enters the track and positions itself in front of the race leader. All drivers must slow down and form a line behind it, and they're not allowed to pass the pace car or each other until racing resumes.

Beyond managing caution periods, pace cars also lead the field during parade laps before the race officially begins. These warm-up laps help drivers get their tires and engines up to operating temperature. The pace car gradually increases speed during these laps, preparing the field for either a standing start or a flying start once it exits the track.

In NASCAR, the pace car serves an additional practical purpose. Since stock cars don't have speedometers, drivers use the pace car to learn the correct pit road speed. They follow the pace car at pit road speed during warm-up laps and note their engine RPM, which they'll use as a reference throughout the race to avoid speeding penalties in the pits.

Different racing series have specific rules about pace car procedures. In IndyCar, for example, pit road closes immediately when the yellow caution flag waves and doesn't reopen until the pace car picks up the leader. NASCAR has the "lucky dog" rule, where the first car that's a lap down when the pace car comes out gets to pass it once and regain that lap.

Pace cars are typically high-performance production vehicles that receive special modifications for their role. Formula 1 has used exotic cars like the Lamborghini Countach and various Mercedes-Benz models, while American racing series often feature muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, or Pontiac Trans Am. These cars must be fast enough to maintain speeds that keep race car tires warm and engines from overheating, yet controlled enough to ensure safety.

The pace car driver is often a celebrity or special guest for major races, adding to the spectacle of race day. At the Indianapolis 500, selecting the official pace car and its driver has become an annual tradition that generates significant publicity for both the race and the automotive manufacturer involved.