UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will sit behind the wheel as the honorary pace car driver for an upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

Cruz will be the official for the November 11 AdvoCare 500 race in Phoenix, Arizona. “The Dominator” was born and raised in nearby Tucson.

“I’m excited to be making my return to PIR (Phoenix International Raceway) and the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR race,” Cruz said. “My first experience in the pace car was one of the coolest and most unique opportunities I have ever had.”

Cruz is currently rehabbing from a knee injury suffered in training. The injury forced him out of a planned match with Urijah Faber, and the UFC created an interim title in his absence, which was won by Renan Barao.

Photo Credit: Justin M. Bowen/LAS VEGAS SUN