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The 2026 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 - Paced by a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X!
Thursday, April 30, 2026 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Corvette ZR1X Pace Car invites race fans to celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial anniversary with purpose-driven patriotism and American craftsmanship forged into this year’s bold livery. Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti, in celebration of IU Football’s undefeated National Championship season, has been named honorary Pace Car driver and will pace the field of 33 drivers in the Corvette ZR1X to start “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” “America’s hypercar will be front and center at the Indianapolis 500, and it has the speed to stay there,” Global Corvette and Performance Cars Team Executive Chief Engineer Tony Roma said. “The ZR1X is made for the racetrack. This Corvette, inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, will absolutely give Coach Cignetti and the fans a thrill.” The Corvette ZR1X delivers 1,250 horsepower across all four wheels, combining a 186-hp electric motor on the front axle with a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 putting 1,064 hp to the rear wheels. For Pace Car duty, the ZR1X is equipped with the Carbon Aero package, including dive planes on the front bumper, underbody aero strakes and the rear wing, which creates more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. The Corvette ZR1X achieves incredible acceleration – capable of zero to 60 mph in under 2 seconds – and can reach 233 mph, approaching speeds seen by race cars in the field. “As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, this Pace Car design reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re headed,” Chevrolet Global Executive Design Director Phil Zak said. “Every element – from the badging to the colors – were deliberately crafted to honor this milestone while expressing a forward‑looking vision of Chevrolet design.” Designed in tandem with the Stars and Steel Collection, the Pace Car features the stars‑and‑stripes decals running across the car. This exclusive ZR1X was custom painted, appearing Arctic White from the driver side and Admiral Blue from the opposite profile. Every detail was considered, including the painted striping running down the ZR1X’s carbon fiber spine on the rear hatch. Inside, Santorini Blue seats are paired with red accent seat belts and red stitched floor mats for a cohesive, performance‑driven interior. “Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels especially fitting this year as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “With race car-like performance, the Corvette ZR1X is the perfect choice to pace the field of 33 in the Indianapolis 500.” Corvette is the longest-running car nameplate in automotive industry history, so it’s no surprise Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car. The 2026 race marks the 37th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 23rd time overall, all since 1978, for America’s favorite sports car. Photos courtesy of IMS and Tom Beeler
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - Festival Drive-Away Day The 2026 track and festival vehicles were unveiled this morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for this year‘s running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. This year there are fifty vehicles in total and thirteen are 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Hardtop Convertibles (Arctic White exterior with the Santorini Blue interior). Another thirty-seven Chevrolet Silverado RST pickup trucks with the 5.7L engine make up the remainder of this year's fleet. Why thirteen Corvettes this year? The story is that since this edition celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States, The decal package is specific to these thirteen Corvette track support vehicles. These cars are also documented as 2026 Indianapolis 500 Event Vehicles verifying their event car number (1-13) in four ways; first with a special engraved plaque located on the Waterfall speaker grille between the seat backs, second with a decal on the sill of the driver‘s door jam, third, the event car number on the lower driver side of the windshield, and finally with a matching event number Indiana issued special event license plate. Two of the Corvettes will be sent to Washington, DC, to promote the upcoming Indy car race in the nation’s capital. These cars are highly optioned (highlighted, totaling $35,295) and include the following options:
Photo Credits: Tom Beeler and IMS
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