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The "Pacers" name for the Indianapolis (or rather, Indiana) Pacers basketball team is a combination of two significant aspects of Indiana's racing heritage:
* Harness Racing Pacers: Indiana has a long history of harness racing, which involves horses called "pacers." These horses have a specific gait where they move their legs in lateral pairs (both right legs, then both left legs).
* Indianapolis 500 Pace Car: The state is also famous for the Indianapolis 500 automobile race, and the "pace car" that leads the field at the beginning of the race is a prominent symbol.
So, the name "Pacers" was chosen to honor both the state's connection to horse racing and the iconic Indianapolis 500."
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