Fuel your imaginations with this one. Here Mr Caviezel’s invitation to participate in a popular US event will tell its own story as we watch. Your job is to take what you need from this event. Mr Caviezel is scheduled to drive the pace car, a 2003, 50th anniversary Chevrolet Corvette, at the 2002 Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway (Indy 500) race on May 26, 2002.   The Indy 500 This automobile race first became a US institution in the early part of the last century, running every year on America’s Memorial Day since 1911. (Memorial Day in America is a holiday dedicated to remembering—memorializing—people who have passed beyond this life. It is especially dedicated to those lost in war.) Although recent speed records pushing well above 200 miles per hour have been set, this new attempt at wall padding aims to cushion crashes. The race promises to be faster and safer, based on this installation developed at the University of Nebraska. This race is set to run 500 laps, and will continue without a time limit, but may be called (signaled by a red flag) because of rain. [ top ]   Pace Car Driver’s Role This then partially describes the role Mr Caviezel plays in driving the pace car. We’re not race savvy, but understand that the Indy rules dictate certain tasks to the pace car driver. In part, we understand these to be: Leading the race cars in a flying start. All starts are flying starts, which means that the pace car leads the pack to set the pace for the flying start. Pacing the race cars during a caution period. Drivers do not “race” during a caution period (hazard on the track), but rather all slow immediately and the running order reverts to the last completed lap. During a caution, a pace car picks up the leader, and all other cars bunch up behind. Once the caution is lifted, the race cars restart the race in single file, and negotiating this traffic is one of the challenges of driving in this race. A seasoned observer postulates that... “As far as I know, they’ll use Caviezel to start the race—he’ll lead the guys around the track on a practice lap or two at a pretty slow speed, like 70 I’d guess. Then he’ll pull off and the cars will pick up speed and take the green flag”. Whether Mr Caviezel will pace the cars during caution periods is unknown to us. In the Pontiac Excitement 400 run May 5, a record-breaking 16 caution flags interrupted that race. You can read more about his duties in context, his training and his passion for practice laps. Named Grand Marshall Added May 14, 2002 The Indianapolis Festival Committee named [this pace car driver] as the grand marshall of the parade on May 25, the day before he completes his role as pace car driver for the Indy 500 auto race. The annual Indy 500 Festival Parade, the nation’s largest motor racing parade, is scheduled to begin at noon (EST) May 25, and run its course through downtown Indianapolis. The parade steps off at North and Pennsylvania, heads South on Pennsylvania to Washington, and travels West on Washington to Meridian and then proceeds North on Meridian to 11th Street. [ top ]   “Riding in Cars With...” Sorry, we can’t resist the invitation that this machine exudes...to ride along. Caption model date corrected January 14, 2003, thanks to JH   The 2003 Corvette, one of which Mr Caviezel will drive to pace the Indy 500 on May 26, 2002 [ top ]   Interviews From HS April 20, 2002 Mr Caviezel speaks about researching the important part he’ll play in this American event, and talks physics in learning to drive the track. Tip  Locate Mr Caviezel’s name in the list to play the MP3 file, which also runs in your QuickTime player. Added May 24, 2002, moved to this page May 26, 2002 Live Interview in Indianapolis Mr Caviezel is giving a live, 10-15 minute interview this evening with WISH-TV’s Patty Spitler on her show, Patty! Parade Preview. Added July 16, 2002 We reviewed the interview segment of Patty! Parade Preview where Patty Spitler introduced Mr Caviezel by commenting on his strong 2002 box office performance year-to-date, noting both the ‘Count’ and ‘Crimes’. She continued by mentioning “Madison”, scheduled for wide release on October 25, 2002. During the interview, Mr Caviezel explained that he had pursued military history as a major course of study before deciding to pursue acting. His ace—had acting not proved worthwhile—was to return to school, continue with his ROTC program and train to be a jet pilot. Mr Caviezel described meeting Tony George at the Heartland Film Festival where “Madison” was shown, and that meeting being the beginning of his involvement in the Indy 500 pace car assignment. Mr Caviezel compared driving the pace car to acting on stage, where he would use the energy generated by the crowd to focus on the task. He described feeling pretty calm about his prospects of being able to perform the role. The host encouraged him to slide into ‘his’ car, which he did with some confidence. Mr Caviezel described the burgundy limited edition, 50th anniversary Corvette with champagne wheels as ‘comfortable’ and ‘amazing’. [ top ]   Pre-race Tidbits Added May 12, 2002 The Brazilian driver Bruno Junqueria won the pole position for this year’s race, with a four-lap average speed of 231.342 MPH, the first driver to make a qualifying attempt. Time trials are scheduled for today and next Sunday. Added May 13, 2002 Rain cancelled the Mother’s Day time trials, although 24 cars qualified on Saturday. Other contenders must wait until next Sunday to fill the remaining nine positions of 33 total. As of today, the fastest qualifying speed (see above) clocked in at 231.342 MPH and the slowest (Billy Boat) roared in with 226.589 MPH. The track will be quiet until Wednesday. We understand by way of ESPN2 that Mr Caviezel is working hard at perfecting his practice turns. Added May 15, 2002 We’ve learned that Joie Chitwood III, vice president and general manager of Chicagoland Speedway, is the designated driver of the Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car during any caution laps of the 86th Indianapolis 500. This means that Mr Caviezel’s task is limited to leading the flying start for the race. Added May 16, 2002 Robby McGehee tested the soft wall on May 5, with a backward spin into the new barrier at the third turn. The Indy Racing League’s director of medical services cleared McGehee on Monday to race on the 26th. Mark Dismore received a concussion in a crash on May 9, and his status will be determined this week. Added May 16, 2002, Second Update Today Poor Norman Mineta (US Secretary of Transportation) expected to take his laps in the pace car, but was relegated to a different experience. Added May 17, 2002, Second Update The current pole sitter, Bruno Junqueria, bounced his car off the soft wall and was almost immediately cleared to continue racing. Sunday’s time trials aim to fill the nine remaining slots. From HS: Added May 17, 2002, Third Update “Madison” due to premier at the IMAX screen on May 24 as part of the Indy 500 festivities. Added May 22, 2002 We understand that viewers with access to WISH-TV, Channel 8 in Indianapolis, can view the parade from the comforts of home. We don’t have a broadcast time, but that detail should be easy to come by. Added May 22, 2002 The Indy 500 track has been quiet the past two days. Activities are planned for today and tomorrow, then the track quiets again on the 24th and 25th in preparation for Sunday’s race. Sunday’s race begins at 11AM local time in Indianapolis. We recommend that you arrange your viewing and listening mediums in advance of the start time, so you can watch Mr Caviezel in action as he completes his duties. For those of you in the Indianapolis geography, read other entries on this page for details about events where Mr Caviezel may be in attendance: the inclusion of “Madison” in the festivities, and his role as the parade’s grand marshall. Vaya Con Dios Mr Caviezel, as you complete this role. Meanwhile, you might expect to see some familiar faces. As necessary, here is some stargazing news you can use. Added May 26, 2002 Finally, this article puts all Mr Caviezel’s work in the context of all the Indianapolis 500 festivities. [ top ]   Post-role Conclusion Added May 26, 2002 From the ABC broadcast, we can say that Mr Caviezel safely completed his duties with purpose. His role as a key supporting cast member concluded his Indianapolis 500 duties. Unlike his other work, his performance in this role will not be widely available to re-view. What a pleasure it must have been—as one of the nearly 400,000 fans who attended this 86th edition of a US tradition—to personally witness his participation in the patriotic pre-race ritual. We send along our congratulations for a job well done. Added May 28, 2002 Finally, the notes for race day, with a minute-by-minute schedule from the minute the public gates opened to the checkered flag wave, and beyond. [ top ]   FAQ Question Where can I find the official site? Answer Here is the Indy 500 site. Question Where can I find more details about the Corvette? Answer Here is the Corvette site. [ top ]