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
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Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 10, 2025, in Watkins Glen, New York. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025 McLaughlin and the rest of the field were doing pace laps to get ready for the green flag. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 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

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pace lap was in 1929

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pace lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pace%20lap. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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