Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Announced as 2012 Indy 500 Pace Car
It might be hard to believe, but the 96th Indianapolis 500 already has a new record set before the race has even begun. With 638 hp, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will be the most powerful production car to ever pace the famous race.
This will be the 11th time a Corvette has served as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500’s storied history, and Chevrolet’s 23rd time overall – both marking event records. It will also mark the last time we’ll see this generation Corvette, as the 2013 model year will be the final year of production as Chevy also celebrates the Corvette’s 60th anniversary.
“This is a truly momentous year for Chevrolet when it comes to performance, with our continued success on and off track, and especially with our return to the IndyCar Series, powering some of the fastest cars on the circuit,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “I can’t think of a better way to mark the 60th Anniversary of Corvette than having it lead the starting field of the Indianapolis 500.”
As a quick refresher, the Corvette ZR1 packs a 6.2-liter LS9 under the hood with 638 hp and can run from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Thanks to plenty of carbon fiber, the ZR1 weighs in at just 3,353 pounds and has a top speed of 205 mph. The particular car (shown above) for the Indianapolis 500 will have an Arctic White exterior with Pearl Silver Blue accents similar to the 60th Anniversary Package.
Catch the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 when it starts at noon Eastern Standard Time.
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.
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