Detroit’s automotive legacy will take center stage in dramatic fashion this weekend as General Motors and the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear unveil two striking new symbols of the city’s enduring spirit of innovation: a newly designed winner’s trophy inspired by Detroit’s most iconic landmark and the electrified 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X as the official pace car for the 2026 race weekend.
Held a week after the Indianapolis 500, INDYCAR is set to return to the Streets of Downtown Detroit from May 29-31, the 36th Grand Prix event in the city’s history will celebrate not only elite motorsport competition – that also includes the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – but also the craftsmanship and design excellence that continue to define the Motor City.
At the heart of this year’s unveiling is a newly introduced race trophy conceived by GM’s in-house Industrial Design team. Drawing inspiration from both Spirit of Detroit and GM’s new global headquarters at Hudson’s Detroit, the trophy blends historic symbolism with contemporary architectural sophistication.
The design pays tribute to sculptor Marshall Fredericks’ celebrated 26-foot bronze monument commissioned in 1955, which has long stood as one of Detroit’s most recognizable symbols. Positioned along Woodward Avenue near Turn 3 of the downtown race circuit, the monument has represented hope, progress, and resilience for generations.
“The GM Industrial Design team drew inspiration from the Spirit of Detroit and our new global headquarters at Hudson’s Detroit, two iconic landmarks representing strength, progress and craft,” said Crystal Windham, GM Executive Director of Industrial Design. “The 2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear trophy is designed to celebrate Detroit.”
Developed in collaboration with acclaimed trophy creator Mike Husar, who has crafted Detroit Grand Prix trophies since the event’s 2007 return to Belle Isle, the bespoke design will be awarded to the top three finishers in both the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix and the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race.
Complementing the trophy’s debut is the introduction of the 2026 Corvette ZR1X as the event’s official pace car – a machine that represents the pinnacle of contemporary American performance engineering.
Delivering a staggering 1,250 combined horsepower through a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a front-axle electric motor, the electrified all-wheel-drive hypercar is the most powerful production Corvette ever created. Engineered with precision worthy of its pace-setting duties, the ZR1X can sprint from zero to 60 mph in under two seconds while reaching top speeds approaching 233 mph.
Finished in a bespoke half-Arctic White, half-Admiral Blue livery hand-painted by GM Design, the pace car features American flag-inspired details, including 50 stars and patriotic striping influenced by Chevrolet’s Stars and Steel Collection commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
For track duty, the Corvette is equipped with Chevrolet’s advanced Carbon Aero package, featuring aerodynamic dive planes, underbody strakes, and a dramatic rear wing capable of generating more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.
“Ever since we brought the Grand Prix back downtown, it has been about celebrating the spirit, creativity and resilience of Detroit,” said Michael Montri, President of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. “From a trophy that honors two of the city’s most iconic landmarks to a pace car that represents the pinnacle of American performance, these elements reflect who we are as a community and what makes this event so special for our fans, our partners and, most importantly, our city.”
Set against the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk, the 1.7-mile, nine-turn downtown circuit once again provides the perfect stage for Detroit to showcase its unmatched blend of automotive heritage, cutting-edge engineering, and design-led luxury.