2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Named Indy 500 Pace Car
For the 15th time in history, the Chevrolet Corvette will be the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500.
No other vehicle has served as the pace car for the Indy 500 more than the Chevrolet Corvette, and it’s hardly surprising the new ZR1 will continue the tradition. The 2018 Indianapolis 500 kicks off on May 27 and it will be the 102nd running of the race.
To celebrate the Corvette’s connection to the race dubbed as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the 2019 Corvette ZR1 will join the other 14 Corvettes that have paced the 500 in the past.
SEE ALSO: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Caught Lapping the Nurburgring
Like the production car, the pace car features a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque. The American automaker also equipped it with the ZTK Performance Package, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, a unique Indy 500 graphics package, GM Design fully integrated safety strobe system, as well as a performance data and video recorder.
This year’s Indianapolis 500 race will be televised live on ABC, with a pre-race show starting at 8:00 AM PDT / 11:00 AM EDT. Coverage can also be found online at indycar.com and the INDYCAR mobile app.
“Chevrolet and IMS enjoy one of the longest-running and strongest bonds in motorsports,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Seeing all of the incredible Corvettes that have paced the Indianapolis 500 on the track today is an exciting reminder of the rich history of this great relationship. This year’s Pace Car, the 2019 Corvette ZR1, is an incredibly fast machine that is a perfect fit to lead the 500 field to the green flag.”
Discuss this story on our Chevrolet Corvette Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation
Those Indycars won't be relaxing during safety car periods.