Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Lilly King will pilot the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car to lead the field to green in Saturday’s fifth annual INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A junior at Indiana University, the Evansville, Ind., native captured two gold medals – the 100-meter breaststroke and as a member of Team USA’s 4x100 medley relay team – in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
She also holds the world record in the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke and is an eight-time gold medal winner in the FINA World championships.
“I’m super-excited to be able to drive the Pace Car for the INDYCAR Grand Prix,” King said. “As a homegrown Hoosier, there is nothing cooler than being able to drive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!”
In addition to all the gold medals she has won in her career, King is also the reigning three-time NCAA champ in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke, is a three-time All American swimmer and is a three-time Big Ten Swimmer of the Year.
She’s also quick in the books, as well, having earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in her sophomore and junior years.
“As a world-class athlete with a passion for competition, it will be great to have Lilly experience what it’s like to lead the field of the best IndyCar drivers from around the world across the famed Yard of Bricks,” said Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.
King will pace the field around the 14-turn, 2.439-mile permanent road course – which also incorporates part of the legendary 2.5-mile IMS oval, as well.
She’ll have plenty of power at her disposal: The 6.2 liter V-8 motor puts out 460 horsepower, coupled to an eight-speed paddle-shift 8L90 automatic transmission. The ‘Vette can go from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds.
“Lilly King is one of the greatest athletes ever from the state of Indiana, and we’re honored to welcome her to drive the Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car in the INDYCAR Grand Prix,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president.
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