Victor Oladipo to drive pace car at Indy 500

The pace car at the 102nd Indy 500 will be driven by Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo.

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo has been chosen to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of the 102nd Indy 500.

Oladipo, who made his first NBA All-Star team this season after being traded to the Pacers from the Oklahoma City Thunder, will drive the 2019 Corvette ZR1 pace car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27.

The 26-year-old averaged 23.1 points per game in his first season with Indiana and was announced as a final candidate for the 2017-18 Most Improved Player Award.

"This is a tremendous honour for me," Oladipo said in a statement. "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."

The vehicle Oladipo will drive can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.85 seconds and has a top track speed of 212mph.