Jeff Gordon to drive pace car in Indianapolis 500

FILE - In this April 11, 2015, file photo, Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon waves during introductions before a NASCAR auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Jeff Gordon will drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 next month. He'll take the field to the green flag in the May 24 race, watch some laps with his wife and children, then fly to North Carolina to compete in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 that evening. Chevrolet made the announcement Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer, File) FILE - In this April 11, 2015, file photo, Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon waves during introductions before a NASCAR auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Jeff Gordon will drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 next month. He'll take the field to the green flag in the May 24 race, watch some laps with his wife and children, then fly to North Carolina to compete in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 that evening. Chevrolet made the announcement Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer, File)

By Associated Press April 29, 2015 3 min read

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Jeff Gordon will finally get a chance to lead the Indianapolis 500 field across the yard of bricks.

He’ll even get to do his version of The Double.

On Wednesday, the five-time Brickyard 400 champion was named this year’s Indianapolis 500 pace car driver, setting up a busy Memorial Day weekend for the NASCAR star.

Gordon and his family will arrive in Indy the night before the race, get to the track early May 24 to enjoy the festivities, then hop in the pace car for a few laps before heading to Charlotte where he will compete in the Coca-Cola 600 later that night. Actually, it was so complex Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles described it a “logistical nightmare.”

With the help of engine manufacturer Chevrolet and some flexible scheduling, Gordon’s support team found a way to work out the details and give him another special moment on his farewell tour. Gordon, a long-time ambassador for Chevy, is retiring at the end of this season.