(File Photo: Source for Photo: Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh native Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car this year at the Indianapolis 500. Cignetti is the head coach of Indiana University’s college football team, and he led the Hoosiers to their first college football national championship on January 19th, 2026 in Miami. Race organizers made the announcement last night during the World Baseball Classic championship game, which was also held in Miami. Cignetti will drive a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which is touted as the most advanced Corvette ever made, at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 24th.