The Indy 500 is almost approaching, and fans can’t wait for Michael Strahan to be the honorary pace car driver. The pro football icon will lead 33 drivers in the event while sitting in a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe. And well with 1,064 horsepower, it can reach 233 mph. Everyone knows the car is no less than a bullet. Logically, these numbers cannot be achieved with a big car, which is why the company reduced the size a bit. However, it appears that this was a problem for the Indianapolis 500.

For those who missed it, IMS president J. Douglas Boles shared an interesting story about Michael Strahan. The man revealed that the NFL icon was a finalist for the role but was not announced owing to a single issue. And the issue was, “A week before we actually took QB out there to make sure he even fit in the car as he is so tall.” 

Strahan is a 6′ 5” giant, which is why the IMS was worried. The president did not want to take the risk of him not getting fit in the car later, which is why they had a trial. And the luck was with them as the president explained, “But he fit in just perfect. We got the seat all the way back as low as we can get it so it should be okay.” 

But what if Michael Strahan did not fit in that car? What would the IMS have done in this case? J. Douglas Boles also had a straightforward solution to the question. The president did not have the choice to change cars, therefore they would have had to have another pace driver. This would have been a fairly horrible scenario, but luckily, it never happened.

The president at last explained, “Well we would have to find a different pace car driver, right? So the nice thing was he fit in the car with a helmet on. He is gonna be right at basically the top of the car. It was not built for a tall football player, especially with a helmet on.” 

But why was Michael Strahan of all legends chosen for the 2025 Indy 500? Well, this was a big doubt among the fans. And the president even explained this in an interview.

J. Douglas Boles is quite pleased with Michael Strahan as the pace driver

“From the gridiron to the broadcast studio, Michael is no stranger to leading a fast-paced field.” Boles indicated that this was the IMS thinking before pursuing Michael Strahan this year. The NFL legend is someone they believe deserves to have the greatest seat in the house for the 2025 Indy 500.

Honorary pace drivers have always been icons all around the world. Names such as Morgan Freeman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Griffey Jr., and Tyrese Haliburton had the honor of doing it. And it is safe to say that among all of these names, Michael Strahan is someone who can easily fit in.

Boles also claimed the same thing and stated, “Michael is an impressive addition to the lineup of all-star athletes and celebrities to serve as honorary pace car driver for the Indianapolis 500.”

Well, the event is scheduled for May 2025, so fans will have to wait till then to witness Michael Strahan on the track.