page_title: Indianapolis 500 pace cars
section_title: Pacemakers (1911–1941)
hierarchical_section_title: Indianapolis 500 pace cars / Pace cars and drivers / Pacemakers (1911–1941)
caption_attribution_description: 1956 "Official Pace Car" at the 2008 NDC Meet DeSoto Adventurers Group
context_page_description: The Indianapolis 500 auto race has used a pace car every year since 1911. The pace car is utilized for two primary purposes. At the start of the race, the pace car leads the assembled starting grid around the track for a predetermined number of unscored warm-up laps. Then if the officials deem appropriate, it releases the field at a purposeful speed to start the race. In addition, during yellow flag caution periods, the pace car enters the track and picks up the leader, bunching the field up at a reduced speed.
  Prior to the first "500" in 1911, in the interest of safety, Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl G. Fisher is commonly credited with the concept of a "rolling start" led by a pace car. Nearly all races at the time, as well as all Formula One races even to the present, utilize a standing start.
  In almost every year since 1936, it has been a tradition that the winner of the Indianapolis 500 be presented with one of that year's pace cars. In most years since 1911, the driver of the pace car at the start of the race has been an invited celebrity, a former racing driver, or notable figure in the automotive industry.
caption: 1956 DeSoto
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