NASCAR Cup Series: Dale Earnhardt Jr. to drive Brickyard 400 pace car

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is set to drive the pace car for one of the biggest races of the 2018 Cup Series season, the Brickyard 400.

This year’s Brickyard 400, officially titled the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 9. It is set to be the 26th and final race of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series regular season before the playoffs begin the following week with the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Leading the field to the green flag ahead of the 25th annual running of the 160-lap Brickyard 400 around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in Speedway, Indiana is set to be retired Cup Series driver and 15-time Most Popular Driver Award winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced this news on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

Here is what Earnhardt Jr., 43, had to say about getting the opportunity to drive the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Pace Car ahead of the 2018 Cup Series regular season finale, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"“I am honored that Chevrolet asked me to drive the Camaro ZL1 Pace Car in one of the biggest races of the year. The fan in me was already looking forward to this event. It’s a big race. There is a lot at stake since it’s the final chance for the teams and drivers to make the Playoffs. So, I hope to do a good job leading the field to the green flag, but I can promise you I’ll soak in every minute and enjoy the Brickyard in a way I never have before.”"

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Earnhardt Jr., who became a father to daughter Isla Rose about three and a half months ago, retired from his role as a Cup Series driver after the end of the 2017 season, which was his 18th season as a full-time driver in the sport.

Earnhardt Jr. competed in 631 races and earned 26 victories over the course of his Cup Series career, but he never managed to win the Brickyard 400.

He drove in the race in 17 of his 18 seasons in the Cup Series, as he was injured during the portion of the 2016 season during which the race was held, and racked up four top five finishes and six top 10 finishes in it. He recorded a career-high third place finish in it back in the 2002 season. His average starting position in it was 19.82, and his average finishing position in it was 16.47.

Be sure to tune in to NBC Sports Network at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 9 for the live broadcast of the Brickyard 400 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. First of all, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is set to drive the pace car before the race, and second of all, there will be a lot at stake with the race being the final race of the regular season before the 10-race playoffs begin the following Sunday.