The 2018 Indianapolis 500 is slated for its famed yearly day of high-octane action once again: Sunday, May 27 will be the 102nd running of the legendary race. All of us here at Mid-Missouri Powerhouse couldn't be more excited about the Official Pace Car chosen for this monumental event: the 2019 Corvette ZR1 will lead drivers to the green flag that Sunday, in the action-packed spectacle presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. This is the 15th time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29th time a Chevy has led the field, dating all the way back to 1948, when a Fleetmaster Six convertible was the proud leader of the race.
It's simply amazing that no other vehicle as served as the leader to the flag more often than the Corvette, and to properly celebrate, the 2019 ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have paced the 500 were on proud and prominent display last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It makes sense that the fastest and most powerful Corvette ever made is going to pace what has long been “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, and many who are unfamiliar with its prowess and stance will get an opportunity to now witness it in action.
The 2019 ZR1 Pace Car features the LT5 Small Block 6.2-Liter supercharged V-8 engine, with 755 hp, and 715 lb-ft of torque. The 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic transmission is the means of shifting while streaking through corners of the track, and opting for the ZTK Performance Package features an adjustable stanchion-mounted carbon-fiber high rear wing, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and performance suspension. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is the world's fastest-reacting suspension that was originally invented by Cadillac. It puts to use a revolutionary fluid infused with magnetized particles, put in place to respond to numerous different driving conditions and speeds. It is engineered with such precision, that it responds and reacts to each corner or bump in the road, and quickly adjusts.
The Performance Data and Video Recorder available for the ZR1 turns your vehicle into an advanced driving analysis tool. It just takes two simple clicks to record every single aspect of your driving, including real-time audio and video, and 34 important channels of performance data. It's great fun to relive your most thrilling moments from the track, and use the gleaned data to analyze every turn. Completing the 0 to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds, the ZR1 reaches a top track speed of 212 mph, deeming it the absolute fastest Corvette in history. Seeing all of the incredible Corvettes that have been used as pace cars on the Indy 500 is a monumental reminder of the history of this legendary race, and Chevy together with IMS enjoy one of the longest-running bonds in motor sports.