Anyone remember the 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster, the first Bow-Tie pace car?
The C7 Corvette Stingray will pace Indianapolis 500 events during the month of May. This is a record 12th time that Chevrolet has paid millions in promotional fees to have the Corvette as the Pace Car, going back to 1978 before the Indy Racing League disaster severely hurt U.S. open wheel racing. No word on whether there will be retail versions of the decaled car.
The Laguna Blue Stingray is festooned (marred?) with Indy 500 graphics on the doors and at least one other sponsor’s logo on the fascia. Chevrolet says that the Corvette Stingray Pace Car differs from production models with only track-mandated safety features and strobe lights, if you don’t count some aerodynamic tweaks. No powertrain upgrades are required with its new 450 horsepower 6.2-liter LT1 engine, with direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation.
The Corvette Pace Car will also have the Z51 Performance Package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package that is claimed to improve high-speed stability.
This is actually the 24th time a Chevrolet has served as the Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500, more than any other brand, dating to 1948 with a Chevrolet Fleetmaster. Camaro has served seven times and, with this year’s running, Corvette has led the way a record 12 times.
