pace car

noun

: an automobile that leads the field of competitors through a pace lap but does not participate in the race

Examples of pace car in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Michael Strahan drove the pace car around the track to lead the drivers to green. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025 Griffey has shot the World Series, the All-Star game, NFL games and soccer — not to mention driving the pace car during his trip to the Indy 500 last year. Steve Reed, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2025 Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan will drive the pace car in the Indy 500, and FOX NFL analyst Rob Gronkowski will take the role of Grand Marshal. Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 Supplying the pace car is an honor for manufacturers, which also have used the opportunity to show off their latest and greatest cars. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pace car

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pace car was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Pace car.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pace%20car. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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