Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam will be taking on a new role this summer, but it won’t be on the basketball court. The three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection is set to serve as the honorary Pace Car driver for the highly anticipated Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 27, at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Siakam will be behind the wheel of the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, leading the field of NASCAR’s top drivers around the iconic 2.5-mile oval to kick off one of the biggest races of the season. The Blazer EV SS is not just any pace car — it boasts 615 horsepower, making it the most powerful electric vehicle in its class and the fastest SS model Chevrolet has ever produced. It’s a fitting choice for a city that knows speed and power, whether on the track or on the basketball court.
“Basketball and motorsports – Pacers and racers – go hand in hand in Indianapolis,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Following the Pacers’ electrifying postseason run, it’s only fitting to have Pascal 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.”
Siakam’s journey from his early days in Douala, Cameroon, to leading the Pacers and now pacing a NASCAR field is nothing short of remarkable. Growing up as the youngest of six siblings, Siakam had little interest in basketball during his youth. While his older brothers pursued college basketball careers in America, Siakam focused more on soccer. It wasn’t until he attended a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa at age 16 that basketball became a serious part of his life.
From there, his path led him to a prep school in Texas, then to New Mexico State, where he played college basketball before being selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. Siakam’s rise through the NBA ranks was fast. After starting as a promising prospect and then finding himself on the bench in his second year, he made the leap to a starting role with the Raptors. His breakout came during the 2018-19 season when he earned the league’s Most Improved Player award and helped lead Toronto to its first-ever NBA championship.
In 2024, Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers and quickly became a cornerstone of the team’s resurgence. His leadership and playoff experience were vital as the Pacers made an inspiring run through the 2025 postseason. Siakam’s standout performances earned him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and he played a crucial role in pushing the Pacers to a dramatic Game 7 in the NBA Finals — marking the franchise’s deepest playoff run in decades.
Now, Siakam’s popularity in Indianapolis has reached beyond the hardwood. As a Red Bull athlete and someone who understands the energy of major sports moments, he seems a natural fit to take part in the excitement of Brickyard Weekend.
The Brickyard 400 is more than just another race on the NASCAR calendar. It marks the conclusion of the five-race NASCAR In-Season Challenge, with the winner walking away with a hefty $1 million bonus. Fans can catch all the action live on TNT Sports at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 27.
For those looking to experience the thrill in person, ticket information for Brickyard Weekend, which runs July 25-27, is available at IMS.com.
Siakam’s participation brings together two of Indianapolis’ biggest passions: basketball and racing. While he’s proven himself a champion on the court, all eyes will be on him as he helps launch one of the most exciting races of the summer.
