NASCAR heads to Indianapolis for the 22nd race of the season, where basketball standout Pascal Siakam will take on the role of pace car driver for the Brickyard 400. As anticipation builds for his appearance, Chase Briscoe has shared a lighthearted concern, bringing a unique perspective on Siakam’s participation and offering his thoughts on the NBA player joining the motorsport scene. The event will highlight the in-season challenge, featuring Ty Dillon and Ty Gibbs competing for a $1 million prize, and integrates major sports personalities, like Siakam, into NASCAR culture.
Chase Briscoe Wonders How Pascal Siakam Will Fit in the Pace Car
This year’s Brickyard 400 will feature Indiana Pacers’ forward Pascal Siakam leading the NASCAR field around the storied 2.5-mile Indianapolis track. Coming off the Pacers’ Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs, Siakam’s new role puts him at the forefront of another high-stakes event, this time from behind the wheel of a pace car.
Chase Briscoe brought some humor to the table when considering how the towering Siakam might handle squeezing into the vehicle. During a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio appearance, Briscoe said,
First of all, I don’t know how he’s gonna fit in a car. I think he’s like 7-foot-6, so yes, it’ll be interesting just to see him try to fit in this thing. But yeah, I’m definitely gonna try to go meet Pascal (Siakam).
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR driver
Despite Briscoe’s playful exaggeration of Siakam’s height, the NBA forward is officially listed at 2.03 meters, or around 6 feet 6 inches—which is much taller than most NASCAR drivers, though about a foot shorter than Briscoe guessed. Fitting into the specially prepared 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, Siakam will encounter a cabin with nearly 40 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom, offering a snug but manageable driving experience for the NBA star.
Blending Basketball and Racing at Indianapolis
Pascal Siakam’s participation symbolizes a meeting point between Indianapolis’ affinity for both motorsports and basketball. He has just finished his first full season with the Indiana Pacers and is set to drive Chevrolet’s newest high-performance electric vehicle as the guest driver ahead of the main race. The 2025 Blazer EV SS boasts 615 horsepower, making it the fastest production model in Chevrolet’s history to date.
Highlighting the synergy between the city’s two major sports, IndyCar and IMS President Doug Boles commented on Siakam’s role, stating,
it’s only fitting to have Pascal (Siakam) join us to pace the field.
—Doug Boles, President of IndyCar and IMS
This crossover event follows a strong NBA season for the Pacers and keeps the spotlight on Indianapolis as a hub for athletic achievement.
The Upcoming Brickyard 400 and What’s at Stake
The Brickyard 400, set for Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET, will see defending champion Kyle Larson battle against top contenders like Ty Gibbs and Ty Dillon—not only for victory but for the in-season challenge’s $1 million purse. The event blends sporting icons from NASCAR and the NBA, creating a spectacle that bridges fan bases and draws fresh attention to both communities. The inclusion of Pascal Siakam as NASCAR’s pace car driver adds a new, entertaining twist for viewers and highlights the charm and camaraderie often present in American motorsports.
As the engines rev up and sports worlds collide, the race will showcase not just driving skill but also the spirit of collaboration that continues to define Indianapolis’ place in both racing and basketball history.
