Cooper Flagg to Drive the NASCAR Cup Series Pace Car
NASCAR is headed to Fort Worth, Texas, next weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The oval is intended to be an entertaining race, and it comes with no shortage of talent outside of the series itself. As announced Friday morning, a hometown star will be on the scene driving the pace car. That man will be the 2025 NBA Draft 1st Overall Pick, Cooper Flagg.
Who is Cooper Flagg?
Flagg is 19 years old and hails from the great state of Maine. He was scouted as the No. 1 high school basketball player in the country, heading to Duke University for his sole college season. Flagg's college honors include:
- National College Player of the Year
- 1st Team All-American
- Lute Alson Award (Top Player in the Country)
- Julius Erving Award (Top Small Forward)
- NABC Freshman of the Year
The Dallas Mavericks were lucky enough to earn the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their selection spot was unexpected, but the team ultimately benefited from the unpredictable Draft Lottery process. Despite losing Luka Doncic, the Mavericks were able to draft the destined superstar, Flagg.
In the 2025-26 NBA season, Flagg averaged 21.0 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, and 0.9 blocks per game. Flagg is expected to win Rookie of the Year honors.
Cooper Flagg to Drive NASCAR Pace Car
Driving the pace car is always a unique honor and reward for a big celebrity. Flagg, the hometown phenom, gets the honor in front of his home crowd.
The Cup Series will take the "Green Flagg" next Sunday, May 2, at about 2:30 PM ET. The race can be watched on Fox Sports 1.
Per Flagg, "My Mom and Dad are both big NASCAR fans, so we're excited; this is going to be a special experience for our family." He states, "Being asked to drive the official pace car at Texas Motor Speedway is such an honor."
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 9:26 AM.