pace lap
noun
: a lap of an auto racecourse by the entire field of competitors before the start of a race to allow the engines to warm up and to permit a flying start
Examples of pace lap in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Donald Trump has taken some pace laps, hopped on the FOX broadcast for an interview with Jamie Little (see below) and even got on the radio to wish the drivers good luck.
—
Alex Zietlow and, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2025
Kyle Busch wrecked during the pace laps under the initial caution from the red flag being lifted, slamming the wall while running straight on the wet track.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2024
Race cars at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green
Car enthusiasts can drive pace laps on the road course at the National Corvette Museum on Sunday, June 9.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 June 2024
Cars had been running pace laps for an extended period of time as the end of pit road was still being dried.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2024
Rain delayed the start of the FireKeepers Casino 400 by 1 hour and 43 minutes after showers fell during pace laps.
—Aaron Bearden, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2023
The Xfinity drivers still went through their introductions, got into their cars, and took pace laps during a short break in the weather, but rain began to fall again during the warm-up.
—Greg Beacham, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2023
Like Roberto Guerrero on the pace lap.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 18 June 2020
Due to the timing of his team’s entry, Aitken was given the honor of starting on the outside of the front row and got a good jump on the final pace lap to swing down the track and clear of pole-sitter Lewis Strang to lead the first four laps.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Oct. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alex Zietlow and, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2025
Kyle Busch wrecked during the pace laps under the initial caution from the red flag being lifted, slamming the wall while running straight on the wet track.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2024
Race cars at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green
Car enthusiasts can drive pace laps on the road course at the National Corvette Museum on Sunday, June 9.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 June 2024
Cars had been running pace laps for an extended period of time as the end of pit road was still being dried.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2024
Rain delayed the start of the FireKeepers Casino 400 by 1 hour and 43 minutes after showers fell during pace laps.
—Aaron Bearden, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2023
The Xfinity drivers still went through their introductions, got into their cars, and took pace laps during a short break in the weather, but rain began to fall again during the warm-up.
—Greg Beacham, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2023
Like Roberto Guerrero on the pace lap.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 18 June 2020
Due to the timing of his team’s entry, Aitken was given the honor of starting on the outside of the front row and got a good jump on the final pace lap to swing down the track and clear of pole-sitter Lewis Strang to lead the first four laps.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Pace lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pace%20lap. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share