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Victor Oladipo would win the Indianapolis 500 in the pace car if they let him try

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers arrives at the stadium before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers arrives at the stadium before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo will drive the pace car at the 102nd Indianapolis 500 on May 27th. Indianapolis is truly his city.

Victor Oladipo would win the Indianapolis 500 if he was allowed to race the pace car in the 102nd running of IndyCar’s most famous race. I am convinced of this. After the growth we saw from him as a basketball player last season, there is little doubt if given the chance in other sports, he wouldn’t succeed.

It’s all but assured he would pilot the pace car to Victory Lane as well if given the chance.

I don’t care if the Corvette ZR1 only has a top speed of 212 miles per an hour compared to the 226 that Graham Rahal topped out at on Thursday. It has 755 horsepower and Victor Oladipo driving it. It clearly is the best car on the track when Vic is behind the wheel.

Chances are, however, that they won’t let Oladipo try that when he sits down in the driver’s seat next Sunday as the Indianapolis 500’s pace car driver.

None the less, Oladipo said it is an honor to lead the field to the starting line according to Pacers.com.

"“This is a tremendous honor for me,” Oladipo said. “I’m so thankful Indiana continues to embrace me, from Indiana University to the Pacers and now the Indianapolis 500, the greatest race in the world. I would like to thank Chevrolet, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Pacers for allowing me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Excited is a huge understatement to how I feel about this. I can’t wait.”"

Oladipo’s need for speed

Oladipo’s speed served him well this season as he led the NBA in steals. But his speed is nothing compared to an IndyCar.

If we take his average speed on the basketball court during the regular season, 4.45 miles per an hour, it would take him 112 hours, 21 minutes, and 36 seconds to run the distance of the Indianapolis 500.

For what it is worth, this season he ran 186.1 total miles. That still leaves him over 300 miles short of completing the race.

On top of that, it would be very dangerous for him to be running on the track while a field of cars zooms by at over 200 miles per an hour.

Next: Injury timing is everything. Just ask the Pacers

He might have better luck trying to race Larry Bird, who drove the city of Indianapolis’ bid for the 2021 All-Star Game down Fifth Avenue in New York in a specialty made IndyCar style vehicle.

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