This weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NASCAR season reaches its 22nd race with the final event of the in-season challenge featuring a $1 million prize between Ty Dillon and Ty Gibbs. Adding to the excitement, Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam is scheduled to drive the pace car prior to the start of the Brickyard 400, highlighting a unique crossover between basketball and motorsport.
Chase Briscoe Voices Concerns About Siakam’s Fit in the Pace Car
Following the Pacers’ recent playoff exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Siakam will take the wheel of the pace car, leading the field around the famed 2.5-mile track before the main race begins. However, NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe has publicly questioned how the towering <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA athlete will manage to squeeze into the compact vehicle used on race day.
Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Briscoe shared his playful doubts about Siakam’s ability to fit, while expressing eagerness to meet the basketball star. He said,
“First of all, I don’t know how he’s gonna fit in a car. I think he’s like 7-foot-6, so yes, it’ll be interesting just to see him try to fit in this thing. But yeah, I’m definitely gonna try to go meet Pascal (Siakam).”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR driver
Though Briscoe’s height estimate is exaggerated—Siakam is officially 6 feet 6 inches (2.03 meters)—the basketball player is still taller than most NASCAR drivers, raising reasonable questions about his comfort inside the car.
Details on the Pace Car and Siakam’s Role
Siakam will operate a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, an all-electric vehicle boasting 615 horsepower and regarded as Chevrolet’s fastest model to date. The pace car’s cabin offers approximately 40 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom, which should accommodate Siakam, albeit with limited space.
IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles emphasized the fitting nature of having Siakam pace the race, given his recent prominence with the Pacers. He remarked,
“it’s only fitting to have Pascal (Siakam) join us to pace the field.”
—Doug Boles, IndyCar and IMS President
Implications and Upcoming Race Details
The Brickyard 400 is set to commence on Sunday, July 27, at 2:00 p.m. ET, with defending champion Kyle Larson aiming to defend his title. Siakam’s role as pace car driver adds an intriguing element to this esteemed NASCAR event, offering fans a chance to see a celebrated NBA player in motorsport’s limelight.
This collaboration symbolizes the growing relationship between basketball and racing communities in Indianapolis, potentially encouraging further crossovers in future seasons. As the race day approaches, many will be keen to observe how Siakam adapts to leading the pack on such a prominent stage.