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1,250HP Corvette ZR1X Announced as Pace Car for the Indy 500

1,250HP Corvette ZR1X Announced as Pace Car for the Indy 500

Dressed in a stars-and-stripes-inspired livery, the ZR1X shows up to the Brickyard with some serious American pride.

For more than 70 years, the Chevrolet Corvette has stood as a true piece of Americana, an enduring symbol of both automotive heritage and the American dream for generations of enthusiasts. Across eight generations, it has evolved from a post-war roadster into a modern mid-engine sports car, consistently pushing its performance into new realms. Still, despite that steady progression, it never quite crossed into supercar and hypercar territory until the debut of the C8 Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X from Bowling Green. The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is stepping into the role of official pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Marking the 110th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 1,250-horsepower hybrid American hypercar will be leading the field to green. A twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 sends 1,064 horsepower to the rear wheels, while a 186-horsepower electric motor drives the front axle, offering all-wheel drive grip and a sub-2-second sprint to 60 mph. For its pace car duties, this ZR1X is optioned with the Carbon Aero package, delivering much-needed downforce through dive planes, underbody strakes, and a rear wing that generates over 1,200 pounds at speed. It’s the type of track-level engineering you need when casually leading the pack at 130mph around the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.This year’s Indy 500 Corvette features a patriotic livery through the Stars and Steel Collection design. One side of the car is Arctic White, while the other is Admiral Blue, tied together by American flag-inspired details and exposed carbon fiber. Inside, Santorini Blue seats are paired with red contrast stitching and seat belts, giving the cabin a patriotic, performance-focused look even if the car is technically pacing rather than racing. Adding to Corvette’s long-standing Indy history, this marks Chevrolet’s 37th overall pace car appearance and the 23rd time the Corvette has led the field since 1978, supporting just how deeply ingrained it is in American motorsport culture.

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Source: Chevrolet

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