INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pace Car driver at this weekend's Indianapolis Grand Prix will be Colts great Robert Mathis.
Mathis will drive the 2017 Corvette Stingray Coupe pace car Saturday when IndyCar returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 14-turn, road course race.
The now-retired outside linebacker spent his entire career with the Colts from 2003-2016.
He was a Pro Bowler, named AFC Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in sacks in 2013. He also won a Super Bowl XLI with the team.
"Just when you think it couldn't get any better, the city known as the Racing Capital of the World grants me a bucket list opportunity!" Mathis said. "Colts, Pacers, Fever, 11, Indians and racing fans all over the world, I will be your official pacesetter this Saturday for the Grand Prix! #IAmIndyAndIndyisMe."
The 2017 Corvette Stingray Coupe pace car features:
- 460-horsepower (343 kW) LT1 direct-injected V-8 engine
- Eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission
- Z51 performance package
- Polished aluminum 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels
- Competition sport bucket seats
- Performance data recorded
- Selective magnetic ride control
- Arctic white body color with unique GM design graphics package
"Robert Mathis is one of the most popular Colts ever, and his enthusiasm has made him a great ambassador for this city and its vibrant sports culture," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. "He's a perfect fit to lead The Greatest Drivers in Racing to the green flag at the INDYCAR Grand Prix. We're also grateful for our longstanding relationship with Chevrolet and can't wait to see the 2017 Corvette Stingray Coupe at the front of the field this Saturday."
Former @Colts legend @RobertMathis98 will drive the 2017 Corvette Stingray Coupe Pace Car at the #INDYCARGP this Saturday at @ims! #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/PVDqNcM1UK
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) May 9, 2017
The 85-lap race starts at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
You can still buy tickets at IMS.com.
