Mario's Tribute to Indy 500 Pace Cars 1946 - 2025

Mario on May 30, 2021 said:

Happy Memorial Day today to all the Gearheads!

In Honor of the Indy 500 Memorial Day Race today I am posting all the post WWII Indy 500 Pace Cars from 1946 thru 2021.

The First Indy 500 Race was in 1911 and I was fortunate to see the track not in 1911 (I'm not that old!) but in the early 2000's.

Enjoy! Mario

Mario on May 30, 2021 said:

And the 2021 Indy 500 Winner is...........Helio Castroneves 4th Time Winner Indy 500 Race!

He won in 2001, 2002, 2009 amd now 2021.

Congratulations Helio!

57timemachine on Jun 1, 2021 said:

I will take the 1955 Chevy and the 1967 Camaro Pace cars. You guys can take the rest. Cheers.

Mario on Jun 2, 2021 said:

Those are great choices George. I would also take the 69 Camaro since I used to own one, not the Pace car edition though.

I am also inclined to go with the new mid-engine 2021 Corvette. That's a real beauty! Cheers.

azmusclecar on Jun 1, 2021 said:

I must say, that is one eclectic collection of Pace Cars, From a Fiero to a Bravado to a Viper.

Nice work Mario........as usual. We've come to expect nothing less than your best.

Mario on Jun 2, 2021 said:

I was just as surprised as you Rob when I was looking into the different Pace cars! What a crazy combo of cars. I didn't expect the Bravado!

The Corvettes have solidly taken over the top spot in the last several years but the new mid-engine ones are awesome!

Cheers!

Mario on Jun 23, 2021 said:

Thanks Rob, I enjoy looking back at the history of our beloved "time machines" and opening up discussions on different topics. Your contributions are dearly welcomed. Cheers!

57timemachine on Jun 2, 2021 said:

Some of the later choices are kind of funny actually. In reality there just were no good choices to pace anymore. Sadness over came the industry. Cheers.

57timemachine on Jun 19, 2021 said:

Looks like GM owned the pace car domain for the last many years.

Mario on Jun 21, 2021 said:

Yes George you're quite correct. GM has ruled the Pace Car for the last 25 years!

The last non GM Pace Car was in 1996 a Dodge Viper. And Corvette has been the Pace Car for 15 of those 25 years.

I guess one can say the Corvette is the true Pace Car of all time. Cheers.

57timemachine on Jun 21, 2021 said:

What is up with NASH using a four door to pace and everyone else used a rag top for many years. NASH had a rag top but I wonder why they never used one. I wonder what the story is with the guy who slammed the 71 Challenger into the pit area. Maybe a bit too much to drink that day. Did anyone get hurt there at the time.

Mario on Jun 21, 2021 said:

Eldon Palmer, a local Indianapolis-area Dodge dealer, lost control of the Dodge Challenger pace car at the south end of the pit area, and it crashed into a photographers' stand, injuring 29 people, two seriously.

Mario on Jun 21, 2021 said:

As far as the Nash sedan pace car here is what I found out:

The reason why a closed car was chosen was simple. Nash didn't offer a convertible in 1947. The Nash was for the most part a bone-stock 1947 Ambassador four-door trunk sedan, a handsome body style that was rapidly displacing the Slipstream fastback sedan in popularity. Cheers!

57timemachine on Jun 22, 2021 said:

Mario, thanks for the insight. As always it is very much appreciated. Cheers.

Mario on Jun 23, 2021 said:

Thanks George you always have good questions and good comments. There's so much history in our cars and so much to learn or recall. Cheers!

Mario on May 20, 2022 said:

The new 2022 Indy Pace Car is a 2023 Corvette Z06 5.5L 670hp.

Sarah Fisher is driving the Pace Car. Sarah is an American retired professional race car driver (Indy and NASCAR) and current Team owner.

Mario on May 29, 2022 said:

May 29, 2022 Marcus Ericsson wins 2022 Indianapolis 500 in a two-lap shootout after late red flag.

He and Kenny Bräck are the only drivers from Sweden to win the race in 106 years of the race.

Ericson, 31, entered Sunday with two career IndyCar wins. Both came in 2021, at Detroit and Nashville, respectively.

Mario on May 2, 2023 said:

Which car will be the Indy 500 Pace Car for 2023? The Race is scheduled for May 28, 2023. Rumors are that it may be the Camaro SS. We'll have to wait and see. The Camaro has been the Indy 500 Pace Car for 9 years so far!

57timemachine on May 9, 2023 said:

Mario, was that Eldon Palmer dufuss charged for almost killing a number of people with his absurd stupidity. If not he should have been.

Mario on May 9, 2023 said:

He was not charged, it was an accident. The flag was moved on the ground where he was supposed to slow down causing the accident. Palmer died in 2016 at the age of 87.

Mario on May 9, 2023 said:

The 2023 Corvette Z06 Hardtop Convertible is the Pace Car for the 2023 Indy 500 Race. This is the first generation of Corvette Z06 to offer a hardtop convertible.

Mario on May 10, 2023 said:

The 2023 Corvette Z06 HT Convertible is now the 20th Corvette chosen as the Indy 500 Pace Car! See the video I posted on the HT Convertible.

Mario on May 29, 2023 said:

Josef Newgarden USA has won the May 28, 2023 Indy 500 Race in a wild finish after three crashes and three red flags in the last 16 laps.

He passed Marcus Ericsson (2022 winner) in the final lap by going high on the track. He said he was either going to win the race or hit the wall. Luckily he won and did not hit the wall. Cheers, Mario

Mario on Mar 13, 2024 said:

I was able to colorize the older B/W pictures.

Mario on May 13, 2024 said:

The 2024 Corvette E-Ray is the Official Pace Car for the 108th Indianapolis 500.

Mario on May 23, 2024 said:

This year's 2024 Celebrity Indy 500 pace car driver is baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr.

The Indy 500 pace car runs about 110 mph.

Mario on May 23, 2024 said:

Check out the new video I posted on the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. A very different sort of hybrid.

azmuscle on May 23, 2024 said:

Hey Mario, great timing. You are on top of things in the world.

Hey I have an idea.

How about we get ALL the models of the Pace Cars and put them on the track at Indy and have them do a few parade laps to show the transition and development of the car industry.

From the first pace car to this years EV Corvette.

Imagine that crowd being able to view a moment in time that would represent where we've been to where we are.

I'd even volunteer to be a driver for the event.

Nice work on the colorization.

Last but not least, let's remember WHAT this Day was created for...and whom.

We seem to quickly rename days like the first day of summer but in reality, let's keep the true recognition and purpose of this day.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET IT!!

Mario on May 23, 2024 said:

That's a great idea Rob parading all 108 Indy 500 Pace cars from 1911 thru 2024! I'll bet the cars would take up most of the 2 1/2 mile track!

You are correct to mention what Memorial Day is all about and we should not forget. It's not just about the BBQ's, Pool parties and Indy 500 race.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

As a Vietnam Veteran I think about all my fellow military friends every day who sacrificed their lives for all of us in Vietnam. This one day everyone who enjoys the peace in our Country should do the same.

Mario on May 26, 2024 said:

After a nearly four-hour delay, the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 is on.

Mario on May 27, 2024 said:

Josef Newgarden USA, racing for Team Penske, wins the Indy 500 2024 for a second year in a row after a 4 hour rain delay. Congratulations Josef! Can you do 3 in a row next year?

Mario on May 27, 2024 said:

Today we pause to remember and honor the brave individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Memorial Day is a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembering those who have fought and fallen to protect the freedoms we cherish.

Reflect on the sacrifices made by our fallen soldiers. Honor their memory by living with the values they fought to defend. Support our veterans and active-duty military members who continue to serve our nation.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and reflective Memorial Day. Mario

azmusclecar on May 27, 2024 said:

Very well said Mario.

Your dedication to God and country and your brethren is always noted. The true meaning of days such as this get lost in this country with so many distractions. I believe even traditions, are being lost with our generational differences.

I told a few friends of mine how my Memorial Day was as a kid, with an early morning parade in my town that climaxed at the local cemetery where the 21 gun salute was heard.

From there to the public park where a Bar-b-Q chicken dinner in a box could be purchased being offered by Veterans who gave their day to prepare a meal for us.

Then the town team would play another town's team in a game of baseball where lawn chairs and blankets and families were strewn all over the park.

Then the finale at dark when the small town fireworks began and when you saw and heard the climatic concussion of a barrage of fireworks going off, you knew the day was at end.

Of course as a kid I knew we still had 2 more weeks of school but Memorial was a true FAMILY celebration, in public places, with the flags and ceremonies and attractions and ending in a beautiful sight like Francis Scott Key wrote:

The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air.

And it is all thanks to the veterans that we can have a day like that.

God bless you Mario and our military veterans and those families who've given their loved ones for our freedoms.

Yes my post may be a bit sappy but it is what I am. Heartfelt gratitude for things we have and had.

Rob

Mario on May 27, 2024 said:

I commend you on your very Vivid and Heartfelt post Rob! Thank you. This is why I joined the Service in the first place. So that All of us would be Free to have Family celebrations and get togethers like you described. Brings back very nice memories. Mario

Mario on Dec 28, 2024 said:

The 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 coupe has been confirmed as the official pace car for the 109th Indy 500.

The race will take place on Sunday May 25 2025, at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.