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Mario's Tribute to Indy 500 Corvette Pace Cars

2023 Indy 500 Pace Car

1978 C3 Corvette was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

1978 C3 In recognition of that milestone, it was named the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 race for the first time.

1986 C4 Big news for ‘86 was that a Corvette would pace the Indy 500 for the second time.

1986 C4 The only visual change for ‘86, besides the roadster version, was the mandated third brake light.

1995 C4 The Corvette was chosen to pace the Indy 500 in 1995 for the third time.

1995 C4 Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car – The First “Designer” Indy 500 Corvette.

1998 C5 Corvette convertible was selected as the Official Pace Car for the fourth time for Indy 500.

1998 C5 Featured a color scheme that was like no other. An exclusive Radar Blue paint with extensive Indy 500 graphics, yellow wheels, and yellow interior accents.

2002 C5 50TH Anniversary. The Corvette served as the Indy 500 pace car for a record-setting fifth time at the 2002 Indianapolis 500.

2002 C5 The car was a 2003-model 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette coupe, which kicked off a year-long celebration of the nameplate's 50th birthday.

2004 C5 Corvette performed the Indy 500 pace car duties for the sixth time.

2004 C5 This was the last of the C5 Corvettes and the pace car was driven by Morgan Freeman.

2005 C6 For a record seventh time, Corvette will pace the Indianapolis 500.

2005 C6 General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, drove a 2005 Corvette convertible pace car.

2006 C6 The eighth time a Corvette was chosen to be the Indy 500 pace car.

2006 C6 Lance Armstrong was chosen to drive the 2006 Corvette pace car.

2007 C6 In new Atomic Orange paint with distinctive gold ribbon graphics, the Corvette was the Indy 500 pace car for the ninth time.

2007 C6 The Corvette was driven by Patrick Dempsey from the TV show Grey’s Anatomy.

2008 C6 A record five in a row Corvette was the Indy 500 pace car for the 10th time.

2008 C6 Two-time Indianapolis 500 and Formula One champion Emerson Fittipaldi drove the Chevrolet Corvette pace car.

2012 C6 ZR1 With 638 hp. The 2013 Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production car up until this time to pace the famous race.

2012 C6 ZR1 This will be the 11th time a Corvette has served as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500.

2013 C7 The all-new, seventh-generation 2014 Corvette Stingray will serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car in 2013.

2013 C7 It marks a record 12th time the Corvette has served as the Pace Car.

2015 C7 Z06 is the 13th time a Corvette has served as the official pace car.

2015 C7 Z06 Five-time Brickyard winner JEFF GORDON Drove the CORVETTE Z06 INDY 500 PACE CAR.

2017 C7 The Corvette Grand Sport is the official pace car for the 2017 Indianapolis 500.

2017 C7 Grand Sport marks the 14th time a Corvette has served as the official Indy 500 Pace car.

2018 C7 ZR1 A 755 horsepower 2019 Corvette ZR1 was unveiled as the pace car for the 2018 Indy 500 for the 15th time. It was crashed by a GM Executive at the race.

2018 C7 ZR1 With 755 supercharged horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 was actually more powerful than the current racers in Indy 500, which vary between 550 and 700 horsepower.

2019 C7 The 2019 Grand Sport served as the pace-car duties for 2019 for the 16th time.

2019 C7 Grand Sport The 2019 C7 will be the last front-engined Corvette to do pace-car duties.

2020 C8 The 2020 mid-engined Corvette is the pace car for the 2020 Indianapolis 500 for the 17th time. GM President Mark Reuss is behind the wheel.

2020 C8 The 'Vette pace car has the Z51 package. The body will wear a Torch Red paint with Carbon Flash exterior accents and the ground effects package.

2021 C8 The 2021 Indy 500 pace car is a 2021 Corvette Convertible the fifth consecutive Corvette for the 18th time. Danica Patrick was the driver for the 2021 Indy 500 pace car.

2021 C8 Corvette has been the Indy 500 pace car the most times of any car with 18 times. Second place is a distant Camaro with 9 times.

2022 C8 Pace Car Is a 2023 Corvette Z06 driven by Sarah Fisher.

2022 C8 Pace Car is a 2023 Corvette Z06. 19 Times.

2023 C8 Corvette HT Convertible Z06 Pace Car

2023 C8 Corvette Z06 HT Convertible


Video and audio clips

1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car


1995 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car


2003 Corvette Indy 500 pace car


2007 Corvette Indy 500 pace car


2012 Vette ZR1 Indy 500 Pace Car


2019 ZR1 pace car crash at 2018 Indy 500


2021 Indy 500 Pace Car Mid-Engine


2023 Corvette Z06


2023 Corvette C8 Z06 Hardtop Convertible in ACTION !



Related

More Cars of the 1970s
More Chevy Coverage

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Comments

Mario on Mar 21, 2022 said:

It took the 25th Anniversary Corvette C3 to become the first Corvette Indy 500 Pace car in 1978.

In 2002 the 50th Anniversary Corvette C5 was chosen as the Indy 500 Pace car.

A record five in a row, Corvette was the Indy 500 pace car from model years 2004 C5 to 2008 C6.

In 2012 the C6 2013 Corvette ZR1 was the most powerful production car up until that time to ever pace the famous race with 638 hp.

But in 2018 a 2019 C7 ZR1 with 755 horsepower was the Indy 500 Pace car. It was so powerful it was crashed by a GM Executive driving the car at the race.

The 2020 C8 first ever Mid-engined Corvette is the pace car for the 2020 Indy 500. GM President Mark Reuss was behind the wheel and luckily did not crash the car!

And in 2021 a C8 Corvette was the Indy 500 pace car, the most times of any car with 18 times. Second place is the Camaro with 9 times.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Mar 21, 2022 said:

Who will be the 2022 Indy 500 Pace Car Winner???

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57timemachine on Mar 21, 2022 said:

The only Vette here I would want is the 25th Anniversary 78 model. Cheers.

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Mario on Mar 23, 2022 said:

Good choice George the 78 Pace Car and 25th Anniversary was the First Pace car of many more to follow. I love the color combo on the 78 also. Cheers!

[Reply to this comment]

azmusclecar on Mar 23, 2022 said:

Well well well......I just looked into buying a 78 Pace Car. But it was FAR FAR FAR from a stock Pace Car.

It WAS a Pace Car but the owner pulled the enemic 180 HP engine and installed a 400 SBC and out went the auto trans and in went a Tremec 5 Speed. He also added suspension components and larger wheels, tires and brakes.

It's a sure sleeper of a Pace Car.....he sent me a video of POV driving and the rear tires either screamed in pain or were crying outloud in joy as they went up in smoke.

He had most of the OEM parts that went with the sale. Sadly shipping the car AND the parts got quite pricey with the recent gas hikes.

I've trimmed down my search areas now with the increased costs of transport.

And the hunt goes on.......as ELmer Fudd said:

Bee Berry Berry Twyit, I'm huntin a waskulwee hot wad..............huh huh huh huh ....

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Mar 23, 2022 said:

Hi Rob, it must be fun looking to buy an older Corvette. Enjoy the Journey. Not many of us can afford to do that. Don't worry I know you'll find a good one. Take your time and don't get frustrated. It's all good! I hope you find the best Corvette and enjoy it! Cheers.

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azmusclecar on Mar 23, 2022 said:

I would say, it's becoming LESS fun looking for a car. I just got my lot cleared beside my house for a 24x24 metal garage to be built soon.

I'm thinking instead of a car, I may start buying used farm tractors and use that as my hobby.

A big block John Deere may just suit MY NEED FOR SPEED

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Mar 26, 2022 said:

Hey Rob, a friend of mine is selling his 68 Corvette convertible, 327ci, 350hp rebuilt 5 yrs ago, good top, exc body, garaged, new tires, brakes, rotors, battery, master cyl, shocks, tie rods, ball joints, etc. Are you interested? I added a pic on this site. email me at: mariorojas2005@msn.com

[Reply to this comment]

azmusclecar on Mar 27, 2022 said:

That's an awesome looking stock ride. I'm leaning more toward one that needs some tweaks, like my own personlization. I'd hate to take a beautiful stock 68 and change it. It looks and sounds awesome as it sits. Thanks for the lead. Someone will own a nice piece of Corvette culture. Rob

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Mar 27, 2022 said:

OK Rob. This just came up and I thought of you. Keep looking, you'll find what you want. Cheers!

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on May 25, 2022 said:

The 2022 Indy 500 Pace car is again a Corvette for the 19th time!

This year's pace car is a 2023 Corvette Z06 and will be driven by veteran racer and team owner Sarah Fisher.

The 2023 Corvette Z06's LT6 engine will be the world's largest flat-plane-crankshaft V-8 and by producing 670 hp at 8,400 rpm it will rank as the world's most powerful naturally aspirated production V-8.

It will take you from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds with a top speed of over 200 mph!

[Reply to this comment]

ghpcnm on May 25, 2022 said:

Great review of America's Sports Car representing the world renowned Indy 500. All of them are great in their own right. However, my personal favorite is the 2019 ZR1. I think it is the greatest Vette of all time. Thanks for your timely post.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on May 26, 2022 said:

Thanks Dave for your comment and Happy Memorial Day. Have a great weekend. I'll be tuned in to the Indy 500! Cheers.

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Mario on May 30, 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.

[Reply to this comment]

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.

[Reply to this comment]

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.

[Reply to this comment]


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