pace car

American  

[peys] / peɪs /

noun

1. (in auto racing) an automobile that leads the competing cars through a pace lap or laps and leaves the course before the actual start of the race.

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Etymology

Origin of pace car

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The lengthy yellows took such a toll on the race that the pace car ran out of gas and needed to be refueled with more than 30 laps remaining.

From Washington Times • Sep. 10, 2023

Robinson had gone from snowplow to pace car.

From Washington Post • Nov. 27, 2022

“This is like a festival atmosphere,” actor and pace car driver Ryan Phillippe said.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2022

It was raining the day Burgemeister took her first pace car ride.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2022

The same arms that have produced 679 home runs will be used to man the steering wheel of a Toyota Camry TRD pace car.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2022