The 2008 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 - Paced by THREE 2008 Corvettes!

History was made at the 2008 Indianapolis 500 when no less than three different Corvette models served as the Official Pace Cars – one highlighting Chevrolet's commitment to fuel solutions and the other two marking 30 years of Corvette's Pace Car heritage. The Honorary Pace Car Driver this year, driving the E85 powered Corvette Z06 coupe FlexFuel concept was two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Additionally, 60 Corvettes (coupes and convertibles) were used this year as Festival and Track support vehicles for the Month of May.

Known for their charismatic designs and superior performance, the pack-leading Pace Cars share a special place in Indianapolis 500 lore. History was made at the 2008 Indianapolis 500 when three distinctive yet highly differentiated Corvette models served as the Official Pace Cars – one highlighting Chevrolet's commitment to fuel solutions and the other two marking 30 years of Corvette's Pace Car heritage.

Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials gathered at the    Indianapolis Auto Show to make the historic announcement Dec. 27. One of the Pace Cars was a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept that  runs on E85 ethanol fuel, a domestically produced alternative fuel similar    to the 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol that powers all of the race cars in the  IndyCar Series. It was driven during the race's first pace lap by two-time  Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi leading the field to the Green flag.

The other Official Pace Cars were a black-and-silver commemorative edition Convertible and Coupe that marks the 30th anniversary of the celebrated 1978 Pace Car – the first Corvette to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500. The Pace duties were split in half, with the Coupe being used for Yellow flag situations in the first half of the race, then turning the duties over to the Convertible for the second half.

Chevrolet produced a total of 500 Pace Car replicas in both Coupe and Convertible form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette's Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant.

"Although not a production FlexFuel vehicle, the Corvette Z06 E85 concept Pace Car is a high-performance example of Chevrolet's gas-friendly to gas-free initiative, demonstrating viable fuel solutions," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "As an ethanol refiner in his native Brazil, Emerson Fittipaldi is the fitting Chevrolet champion to help support GM's efforts with E85 and celebrate 30 years of the Corvette pacing the Indianapolis 500."

The 92nd Indianapolis 500 was held on Sunday, May 25, 2008. It was the Corvette's 10th appearance as the Official Pace Car – a record unmatched by any other vehicle.

"It's only fitting that Corvette will be the first car to earn the distinction of having two models pace the Indianapolis 500 in the same year," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "Chevrolet and Corvette are a vital part of the rich history of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,' and we're honored to have a great champion of the race and of alternative fuels, Emerson Fittipaldi, as this year's Pace Car driver."

About the Corvette Z06 E85 concept

The Corvette Z06 E85 concept Pace Car is based on the production Z06 – already one of the fastest and most powerful cars on the market – and blends its performance with the high-octane, renewable alternative fuel that is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States.

E85 is blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Its benefits include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and a reduced dependence on petroleum. GM is the leader in E85 production models, with more than 2.5 million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road – with more on the way. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

Apart from the fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required to run E85, the Z06 concept Pace Car is mechanically stock. It is distinguished by a unique Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint scheme that changes between hues of green and gold when viewed from different angles and in different light. A subtle checkered flag pattern also is part of the paint scheme. Safety equipment and strobe lights are the only other equipment added to the car.

Emerson Fittipaldi: Ambassador of racing and ethanol

After winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 while driving for Chevrolet – and spending 30 years in his native Brazil as a refiner of ethanol – Emerson Fittipaldi is the perfect ambassador to lead the Indianapolis 500 in an E85-powered Corvette Z06.

"Most of the vehicles in Brazil are powered by ethanol produced from crops grown in the country, so I understand how a domestically produced renewable fuel can help the energy solutions of a nation," Fittipaldi said. "And the E85-powered Z06 concept Pace Car proves economic and environmental consciousness can be fun and exhilarating. I can't wait to get it on the racetrack."

Fittipaldi, whose personal cars include a Corvette Z06 and a Camaro awarded after winning the 1993 Indianapolis 500, resides in both Florida and Brazil. He has interests in several Brazilian ethanol companies and is an ardent champion of ethanol as a viable alternative to gasoline.

Brazil – the fifth-largest country in the world – is a global leader in ethanol usage in automobiles. Approximately 70 percent of Brazilian new cars are equipped with FlexFuel systems that allow the use of a gasoline/ethanol mix or pure ethanol. Ethanol production has grown tremendously during the last three decades and has allowed the country to practically wean itself completely from imported oil.

To get the month of May rolling the honorary starter was IUPUI Head Coach Ron Hunter who waved the Green flag signifying the start of practice for the 92nd Indy 500. 

Race Summary: Scott Dixon won pole position, and when it was all over, he stayed ahead of the trouble, got a boost from his crew and drove to his first Indianapolis 500 victory, driving for Target Ganassi Racing.

Photos below courtesy of the Speedway.

In addition to the Corvette Pace Cars this year, Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Replica Convertibles (43 with Gray top) and Coupes (17) returned as 500 Festival and Track/VIP support cars. 

	Once again this year Chevrolet Corvette returned to pace the Indianapolis 500 (it's tenth Indy Start) and in honor of being selected there were 500 replicas made for sale to the public. But this is the first replica year where you had your choice of a Convertible or Coupe Pace car! Total Production for the 2008 Indy Pace Car replicas sold to the public was 500. The estimated build dates for the Speedway cars were between March 4th and 6th. Pace car production resumed on April 7th and concluded on June 6th for the "dealer cars". There were 61 Corvettes built in early March, however only 60 cars shipped to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to be used as "track" and "festival committee" vehicles which were distributed to their lucky drivers on April 9th and in use thru May 31st. Build Sequence # 3 was actually a "special" early customer order, and that coupe was sent directly to the selling dealer in Florida at the owners request. All of the Black and Silver Corvettes used at the Speedway had the Six speed "Paddle Shift" automatic transmissions. There were 17 Coupes, and 43 Convertibles (Gray top) at the Speedway. When these cars arrived at the Speedway, a Silver "Chevrolet" windshield header decal and assigned track car numbers / license plate (to match the build sequence numbers) were added. The Chevrolet windshield header was not on the replicas sold as normal "dealer" cars that were not used at the track. As is tradition, the Speedway cars were seen out and about town at various IPL 500 festival events throughout Indy. And there was even a special appearance during Media Day festivities of the one and only Z06 Pace Car Replica, built and presented to the Honorary Pace Car driver!

This year's 500 Festival Queen was Karle Schaefer.