Memorable Pace Car Moments

SI Staff | Aug 24, 2011

Memorable Pace Car Moments /

Memorable Pace Car Moments

Denny Hamlin

On Aug. 23, 2011, NASCAR announced that the 2012 Toyota Camry would serve as the official pace car for the 2012 Daytona 500. It will be Toyota's first time serving as the pace car for a Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. With that in mind, SI.com presents some of the more memorable pace car moments from years past.

Hope Solo

U.S. soccer star Hope Solo poses with the pace car at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis in July 2011.

Tom Izzo

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo can hardly contain his excitement prior to the Carfax 400 at Michigan on Aug. 15, 2010.

Doug Hurley

Astronaut Doug Hurley pilots the pace car out of a Chinook helicopter before the Dickies 500 at Texas on Nov. 8, 2009.

Vince Carter

NBA star Vince Carter, then with the Orlando Magic, peeks out over the driver's side window of the pace car before the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona on July 4, 2009.

Unknown driver

A pace car leads NASCAR's best down Broadway in Nov. 2007.

Kevin James

Actor Kevin James gives his stamp of approval prior to the start of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona on July 7, 2007. James served as grand marshal for the race.

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell, or should I say Ricky Bobby , slides into the pace car before a practice session for the USG Sheetrock 400 on July 8, 2006.

Jeff Gordon, Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil

Jeff Gordon (center) and his impromptu pit crew, Bugs Bunny (right) and the Tasmanian Devil, leave their mark on the Monte Carlo 400 pace car on June 7, 2001.

George W. Bush

Then-Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush waves as he rides around in the pace car during the Pepsi 400 at Daytona on July 1, 2000. Bush served as the grand marshal of the event.

Bob Dole

Then-Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole rides around with NASCAR legend Richard Petty prior to the 1996 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

Published Aug 24, 2011

SI STAFF