Indianapolis, Indiana – In a one-of-a-kind meeting of sports legends, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is set to experience a thrill unlike any he faced on the gridiron. On Sunday, May 25, during the 109th running of the iconic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Brady will ride in the “Fastest Seat in Sports” — a custom INDYCAR SERIES car outfitted with a passenger seat — driven by none other than seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.
The star-studded ride will lead the 33-car field to green at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, giving Brady a front-row view of what is widely considered the most prestigious race in American motorsports. The moment will be broadcast live on FOX, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET, also available on FOX Deportes and the FOX Sports app.
It’s a pairing that fits the grandeur of the event: two elite champions in their respective sports, both synonymous with excellence, longevity, and a relentless drive to win. Brady, who retired from professional football as the most decorated quarterback in NFL history, is now the lead NFL analyst for FOX. His appearance at the Indy 500 highlights his growing presence in the media world, even as he continues to embrace new experiences.
“I love the Indy 500,” said Johnson. “There is an energy and excitement around the ‘500’ that is unlike anything I have experienced before. Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I’ve had outside of the car. I’m thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. I’m extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.”
Brady’s resume is nothing short of legendary. A 15-time Pro Bowler and five-time Super Bowl MVP, he holds nearly every meaningful quarterback record in the NFL. He was named the Associated Press Most Valuable Player three times (2007, 2010, 2017) and was a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year. His achievements stretch beyond the field, earning titles like Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (2007), Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2005, 2021), and a place on both the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Johnson, meanwhile, brings his own unrivaled résumé to the speedway. With 83 NASCAR Cup Series wins and seven championships — including a record-setting five in a row from 2006 to 2010 — he stands alongside Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty at the pinnacle of the sport. After competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for two seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, Johnson made a memorable run in the 2022 Indy 500 and earned Rookie of the Year honors. He now co-owns LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and still occasionally competes behind the wheel, including in this year’s Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte — a race he will attend immediately after his ride with Brady.
“I’m extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion,” Johnson said, underscoring the once-in-a-lifetime nature of the pairing.
The “Fastest Seat in Sports” has become a fan-favorite tradition in the INDYCAR SERIES, allowing celebrities, athletes, and public figures to experience the thrill of a high-speed lap around the track just before the green flag drops. This year’s earlier participants include FOX MLB analyst and World Series champion Alex Rodriguez, who opened the season with a ride in St. Petersburg. Past riders also include Lady Gaga, Diplo, Jon Bon Jovi, Simu Liu, and Mark Wahlberg — a list now joined by one of football’s greatest icons.
The Indy 500 itself is a crown jewel in American sports. Hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — a venue steeped in history — it draws over 300,000 spectators annually and remains a powerful blend of tradition, speed, and spectacle. Drivers race at speeds exceeding 230 mph, pushing their skill and courage to the limit. For newcomers like Brady, the high-octane environment is an eye-opening contrast to the structured world of football.
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This year’s edition of the race will once again showcase the best of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, North America’s premier open-wheel championship. With races across ovals, street circuits, and road courses, the series demands versatility and fearlessness — qualities shared by both Johnson and Brady in their respective careers.
Brady’s role at the event is symbolic as well as thrilling. It signals the growing crossover appeal of athletes-turned-personalities and reflects how major sporting events now blend competition with entertainment, celebrity, and storytelling. FOX’s decision to air the Indianapolis 500 live on its primary network for the first time only amplifies this momentum.
As the engines roar and fans fill the stands, the sight of Jimmie Johnson rocketing down the front straightaway with Tom Brady strapped in behind him will be more than just a spectacle — it will be a celebration of champions. A moment that bridges disciplines and brings together two athletes who, in different sports, have redefined what greatness looks like.
For Brady, it’s a new kind of adrenaline. For Johnson, it’s a return to a place he knows well. And for racing fans, it’s the perfect way to kick off the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
