Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, will drive the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Pace Car to lead the pack of 33 racers to the start of the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 26.

Harbaugh, who took the 49ers to the Super Bowl in the 2012 season, is no stranger to Indianapolis. He was a quarterback for the Colts from 1994 through 1997. He was named AFC Player of the Year and named to the Pro Bowl in 1995.

Harbaugh is also a racing fan and a principal at Panther Racing, which fields the two-car team with drivers JR Hildebrand and Townsend Bell. Hildebrand will drive the No. 4 National Guard Chevrolet in Indianapolis 500, and Bell will compete in the No. 60 Sunoco "Turbo" Chevrolet.

"As a longtime racing fan and someone who has always followed the Indianapolis 500, the honor to drive the Pace Car comes as a tremendous thrill," Harbaugh said. "Doing it in the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray makes it even better. It's an iconic car leading an iconic race."