The Indianapolis 500 continues to excite fans with its annual tradition known as the Fastest Seat in Sports, where a famous figure teams up with an expert driver for a thrilling lap around the historic Brickyard. This event merges celebrity allure with the raw intensity of professional racing, offering a unique experience for both participants and spectators. This year, the spotlight fell on NFL legend Tom Brady as he joined seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson for a heart-pounding ride at the Indy 500.
Inside Jimmie Johnson’s Intense Ride with Tom Brady
Jimmie Johnson recently spoke on ESPN’s Never Settle podcast with Marty Smith, sharing details about the heated laps he took with Brady as his passenger. Johnson recounted the excitement and how Brady, used to facing defenders rather than speeds nearing 200 mph, reacted to the challenge of life inside a race car going full throttle.
Giving him a ride in the car is something that he was really jacked to do, and we threw TV’s big tall rear end in the back, went and sailed it around the track,
Johnson said. Five laps, flat out.
Johnson estimated their speed to be around 190 miles per hour on average, with velocities hitting close to 200 mph along the straights. He detailed the aerodynamic effects on Brady, who towered over the typical passenger safety features designed to shield against the wind blast.
He’s so tall that he was above them, and I could see his head buffeting back and forth on the straightaway, and I think the helmet strap was trying to choke him out and was trying to lift the helmet off his head. So, another lap or two, maybe he would have passed out.
Brady’s Endurance and Impact of the Experience
While the ride was intended primarily as a promotional moment before race day, it quickly captured widespread attention as footage showed Brady gripping tightly during the high-speed laps. Despite the intensity, Brady embraced the experience with enthusiasm and demonstrated considerable composure enduring the physical demands of racing pace, giving fans a memorable crossover moment between motorsports and football.
Whether Brady will choose to take another ride at such extreme speeds remains uncertain, but his willingness and resilience highlight the intersection of two major sporting worlds. For fans of the Indianapolis 500 and the NFL alike, this event brought an unforgettable blend of speed, skill, and star power to the track.
