Indiana Pacers Pascal Siakam Will Drive NASCAR Brickyard 400 Pace Car

Forbes

6 days ago

Pascal Siakam is the lastest "Pacers and Racers" storyline in Indianapolis as the NBA star will ... More drive the Pace Car for the Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Photo
One of the heroes of the Indiana Pacers run in the NBA Playoffs and coming within one game of winning the NBA Championship will be the Pace Car Driver for the July 27 NASCAR race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It's Pascal Siakam, a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, who will serve as honorary Pace Car driver for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG.
'Basketball and motorsports – Pacers and Racers – go hand in hand in Indianapolis,' IndyCar and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. 'Following the Pacer's electrifying postseason run, it's only fitting to have Siakam join us to pace the field as NASCAR's biggest stars compete to win the in-season challenge and add their name to the history books with a win at the Brickyard.'
The Red Bull athlete, will drive the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS and lead the field around the iconic 2.5-mile oval to start the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 615 horsepower Blazer EV SS is the most powerful EV in its class and quickest SS model ever produced by Chevrolet, the fastest-growing EV brand in the US.
Siakam didn't start playing organized basketball until the age of 17, but by the age of 26, he was an NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors.
Siakam's journey began in Douala, Cameroon, in a family of six siblings. Even though his older brothers – Boris, Christian and James – all eventually went on to play Division I college basketball in America, Siakam had other plans.
He was more interested in soccer.
After an invite to a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa at the age of 16, Siakam went on to attend a prep school in Texas and later played college basketball at New Mexico State before being drafted in the first round by the Toronto Raptors in 2016.
Siakam went from a promising prospect in his rookie NBA season to a bench player in his second year and blossomed into the starting power forward of a championship team in his third season, earning the league's Most Improved Player award while helping the Raptors capture their first-ever NBA championship in 2019.
In 2024, Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he quickly emerged as a key veteran presence on a young, dynamic roster. His leadership and playoff experience were critical during the Pacers 2025 postseason run.
Siakam's standout performance earned him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and he was instrumental in pushing the team to a hard-fought Game 7 in the NBA Finals — the franchise's deepest playoff run since joining the NBA in the 1976-77 season.
From a late basketball bloomer to an NBA champion, multi-time All-Star and respected veteran leader, Siakam's story continues to be one of resilience, adaptability and relentless determination. Cookie Monster Named Brickyard 400 Grand Marshal
In addition to one of the star players for the hometown Pacers leading the NASCAR greats to the green flag, another iconic figure in family entertainment will also play a key role.
'Sesame Street's' Cookie Monster will serve as grand marshal of the Brickyard 400.
As grand marshal, Cookie Monster will give the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars during pre-race.
Cookie Monster's role as grand marshal will reunite him with NASCAR champion Bubba Wallace, who taped a special video sharing that Cookie Monster and his friends are taking a cross-country trip.
This summer, 'Sesame Street' is taking a Road Trip Across America to share a message that's been true since the beloved children's show debuted in 1969: 'No matter who you are or where you live, 'Sesame Street' is for you.'
'Bring the whole family out for a cookie break as we welcome 'Sesame Street's' Cookie Monster to IMS for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on July 27,' Boles said. 'Following Cookie Monster's command as grand marshal, everyone can enjoy exciting on-track action as the stars of NASCAR take on the iconic 2.5-mile oval.
'Children under 15 are admitted free with the purchase of an adult Flex or General Admission ticket.'
The multi-city tour, which kicks off with Cookie Monster's role as grand marshal at the Brickyard 400, will bring communities together and showcase the many ways 'Sesame Street' helps children everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder.
The road trip will be supported by a robust social media campaign featuring the faces and places where 'Sesame Street' friends and fans reside so families across the country can participate.
The Brickyard 400 presented by PPG is the final race in the five-race NASCAR In-Season Challenge. The winner takes home a $1 million bonus. Catch the race live on TNT Sports at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 27.
Cookie Monster will be the most unique Grand Marshal in Brickyard 400 history as the famed Sesame ... More Street character will give the command to start engines before the NASCAR race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Photo