Oladipo to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

Oladipo averaged more than 23 points per game in the 2017-2018 NBA season.

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Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo will drive the Pace Car at the 102nd Indianapolis 500. Oladipo, who calls the opportunity a "tremendous honor," will drive the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car to lead the field of 33 drivers at the May 27 race.

Oladipo averaged more than 23 points per game in the 2017-2018 NBA season and has been named a finalist for the league’s Most Improved Player Award. He played for Indiana University from 2010-2013.

"This is a tremendous honor for me,” Oladipo said. "I’m so thankful Indiana continues to embrace me, from Indiana University to the Pacers and now the Indianapolis 500, the greatest race in the world. I would like to thank Chevrolet, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Pacers for allowing me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Excited is a huge understatement to how I feel about this. I can’t wait."

Oladipo is just the latest star to be announced as part of the Indy 500 festivities. Actor Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor in the box office record-breaker "Avengers: Infinity War," will wave the green flag as honorary starter. Grammy Award-winner Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem ahead of the race.