The Indianapolis 500 kicks off next month and
Chevrolet will use the event to showcase the new Corvette ZR1. As part of the
festivities, the Corvette ZR1 will become the official pace car of this year’s
race. The model is relatively stock but it has been equipped Indy 500 badging
and safety strobe lights. The model also has the ZTK Performance Package which
includes a performance suspension and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing.
Other performance features include a Brembo carbon
ceramic braking system, an electronic limited-slip differential and a magnetic
selective ride control system. The car also has a performance data and video
recorder as well as 19- and 20-inch wheels that are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport
Cup 2 tires.
Power is provided by a supercharged 6.2-liter LT5 V8
engine which develops 755 hp and 968 Nm of
torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which enables
the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.85 seconds before hitting a top speed
of 341 km/h.
This year will mark the 15th time a Corvette has
served as the official pace car of the race and the 29th time that a Chevrolet
has led the field. In honor of the occasion, Chevrolet displayed a 2019
Corvette ZR1 on the track’s straightaway earlier today alongside 14 other
Corvettes that have paced the race.
Chevrolet noted the company has special ties to the
race as the brand was founded in 1911 which is the same year as the inaugural
Indy 500. Arthur Chevrolet competed in that first race and his brother, Gaston
Chevrolet, won the race in 1920.
