pace lap

[ peys ]

noun

1. a lap before the beginning of an auto race for warming up the engines and giving the field a moving start.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pace lap¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The Monster Among Men had his scheduled pace lap at the Monster Mile rained out.

From Washington Times

His crew chief, car chief and engineer earned automatic four-race suspensions when a piece of tungsten fell off Hamlin's car on a pace lap.

From Fox News

Mark Reuss was driving the Corvette during a pace lap shortly before the race’s scheduled start time when it spun and crashed.

From Seattle Times

The race Sunday was delayed over a half-hour because the pace car crashed during a pace lap.

From Los Angeles Times

He was seventh at Milwaukee, spun on the pace lap at Iowa but rebounded to finish 16th and was 10th at Toronto.

From Seattle Times