Victor Oladipo much rather still be playing in the NBA postseason but since he’s not, he’ll take in all of Indy during Memorial Day Weekend.
Before leading the 33-car field to the green flag at the Indianapolis 500 as the pace car driver, he’ll ride in the 500 Festival Parade throughout downtown Indy late Saturday morning. The 62nd IPL 500 Festival Parade starts at 11:45 am Saturday and is one of many traditions for race weekend. It will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports — locally on WTHR-13 — and will feature all 33 drivers in this year’s field.
In addition to the drivers, many others will join the parade including Oladipo. Others expected: Ben Higgins from The Bachelor, 2018 Miss America Cara Mund, Governor Eric Holcomb, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Bobby Unser, and more.
This will give this city and Pacers fans an opportunity to thank him for his performance this season, which earned him his first All-Star appearance and being voted First Team All-NBA.
[Victor Oladipo on his signature celebration: ‘This Is My House’]
After the parade, Oladipo will visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and get behind the wheel of the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car, which can go 0-to-6 in 2.85 seconds and has 755-hp. He’ll learn the course — it’s four left turns, so it’s not difficult — and get a feel for what it’ll be like going 150 mph in the pace car.
The Snakepit Ball is Saturday night inside the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Former Pacer Scot Pollard is expected, along with new Colts head coach Frank Reich, actors Doug Jones and Paul Sorvino, David Anspaugh and Angelo Pizzo of Hoosiers, and more.