Stars were out at Brickyard 400: Cookie Monster and Pacers forward Pascal Siakam make appearances

By In D On Jul 28, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS — The Brickyard 400 took off on Sunday with a mixture of tire smoke, cookie crumbs and slam dunks.

Pascal Siakam sped around the track as he led the field in the pace car. He could be seen smiling ear to ear in the pace car.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 27: NBA player, Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers waves to fans during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

“They had to tell me to slow down, I was ready to push it,” Siakam said. “But, that was crazy, it’s so fun, the cars, the noise, it’s a fun experience for sure.”

While Siakam was speeding around the track, Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster served as the race’s Grand Marshall.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 27: Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster eats cookies during a press conference prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

FOX59/CBS4 had the opportunity to ask the Cookie Monster if he would bring racing to Sesame Street.

“Ohh, me would love that,” Cookie Monster said, “you know, with me monster foodie truck, the Count’s countmobile, Oscar’s sloppy jilappi and Elmo’s tricycle me think we would have some pretty stiff competition.”

While the Brickyard 400 brought its own stiff competition, the Cookie Monster and Siakam put plenty of smiles on people’s faces before the engines got started.