Some victory laps are metaphorical. Curt Cignetti's on Sunday was literal.
Indiana football's coach served as the Indy 500's honorary pace car driver, leading the field of competitors around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway track for ceremonial warmup laps.
There likely aren't many people more popular in the Hoosier State than Cignetti, who led Indiana to the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship, capping a remarkable two-year turnaround since his hiring in November 2023.
At the start of Cignetti's tenure, the Hoosiers had the most losses in major college football history. Cignetti boasts a 27-2 record in Bloomington, and Indiana hasn't lost a game since the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff in December 2024.
The quip-friendly coach offered a fittingly blunt remark on his role Sunday.
"I like being No. 1," Cignetti said on the event's broadcast. "I get to start in front and finish in front."
Rear view mirror was disabled. Have to keep your eye on the bullseye! https://t.co/ER4lPPY64S
— Curt Cignetti (@CCignettiIU) May 24, 2026
Cignetti was trained for his role by retired race car driver Sarah Fisher, who has driven in seven Indy 500 races.
He wasn't the only member of the Indiana sports scene to participate in the race's ceremonies, either -- star Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was Sunday's grand marshal.
