Indianapolis 500 Corvette E-Ray Pace Car And The Rest Of The Corvettes That Served Indy

 

Sunday, May 26, 2024, we will once again see a Corvette running laps as a pace car for the Indianapolis 500. But this won't be just any Corvette—it is Corvette's first all-new 2024 Corvette ELZ E-Rayall-new 2024 Corvette ELZ E-Ray. 

This is Corvette's 21st time pacing the Indy 500 since 1978, more than any other car in history. If you add that up with all 35 appearances of Chevorlets that paced the event since 1948, Chevy is by far the leader for this honor.

How Does The E-Ray Corvette Stack Up To Its Syblines?

The Electric All-Wheel Drive (eAWD) E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette that has ever come off the assembly line at the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, KY. 

Using a 6.2-liter powerhouse V8 running6.2-liter powerhouse V8 running in tandem with an electric motor that adds an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque to the front wheels, this Corvette is good for 655 combined horsepower. 

What do these numbers mean while the Corvette is in motion? How about a 0-60 MPH time in just 2.5 seconds, and if you decide to keep the pedal to the metal, you'll cover the quarter-mile track in just 10.5 seconds. The E-Ray can also drive on its electric motor alone for up to 4 miles at 45 MPH when Stealth Mode is selected.  

Who's Going To Be Driving The E-Ray Pace Car?

Piloting the E-Ray at the Indy 500 is going to a famous former MLB outfielder, All-Star, Ken Griffey Jr.All-Star, Ken Griffey Jr. If you haven't heard of this guy, even if you don't watch sport, you must have been living under a rock for the 35 years. All you have to do is punch his name into a search engine, and you'll see the mountain of awards and accomplishments he has made—Golden Glove Awards, All-Star awards, hitting awards, and more. 

Here's A Run Down Of The Past Corvettes To Take The Indy Honor

1. May 26, 1978, the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 is the first time Corvette graces Indy fans with its presence. Driven by American race car driver Jim Rathmann.

2. May 25, 1986, the 70th Indianapolis 500 chose this 1986 Corvette because it was the first convertible Corvette put into production in ten years. Driven by General Chuck Yeager. He was one of the finest American fighter pilots, who also was the first person to break the sound barrier. 

 

3. May 28, 1995, the 79th running of the Indianapolis 500, brought to the stage one of the more colorful Corvette Pace Cars. This 1995 Corvette Pace Car version was raced equipped with a five-point safety harness, an onboard fire suppression system, a special "halo" roll-bar, and a special strobe light setup for more eye appeal. For this year the Corvette was driven by former Chevrolet Manager Jim Perkins.  

4. May 24, 1998, the 82nd running of the Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car showed off some more colorful action. Driven by American race car driver and team owner Parnelli Jones, this Corvette was hard to miss with Radar Blue paint, eye-grabbing graphics, and bright blazing yellow seats and matching wheels.

5. May 25, 2003, the 86th Indianapolis 500 celebrates the 50th annerverary of Corvette production by seeing to it that it once again leads the pack at the famous race. Actor Jim Caviezel gets the honor of driving this most important Corvette with the big "50th" badge on top of the hood. 

6. May 30th, 2004, the 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 sees the first time that Corvette gets a back-to-back appearance. This is also the first time that Chevrolet and Corvette decided to make no replicas of the Indy Pace Car. It's Morgan Freeman, who takes the reigns this year in pacing the Indy Cars around the track. The Corvette's patriotic color scheme makes this pace car one of the more iconic ones.

   

7. May 29, 2005, the 89th Indianapolis 500 will see its first sixth-generation Corvette leading the Indy Car field. This was not just the first time the 6th-gen made it to Indy, but also the first time the general public was introduced to the car, other than renderings, pictures, and spy photos. General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State was put in the Driver's seat for pace car duties. 

8. On May 28, 2006, the official pace car of the 90th Indianapolis 500 was the 2006 Corvette Z06. Back to a patriotic color scheme, the 505 horsepower sports car would be driven by the seven-time Tuor de France winner Lance Armstrong. 

9. May 27, 2007, the 91st Indianapolis 500 brings Corvette on board again for pace car duties. Team owner and actor Patrick Dempsey would take on pace car duties in this Atomic Orange LS2 400 horsepower machine.

 

10. May 25, 2008, the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 would see two pace cars for the first time. First, there was a 2008 Corvette Z06 engineered to run off of E85 Ethanol fuel. And then there was another pace car dressed in a black and silver color scheme to celebrate the anniversary of the first Corvette Indy 500 car that debuted 30 years earlier. These pace cars would be driven by celebrity race car driver Emerson Fittipaldi.

11. After a little break from the action, Corvette returns to Indy. May 27, 2012, the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 saw its first 6th-generation ZR1. This car took Americans by storm with its supercar-like performance. Famous Emmy Award-winning television cook and personality received the honor of driving this LS9 powerhouse around the track—too bad he wasn't able to reach its top speed of 205 MPH at pace mode.

12. May 26, 2013, the 97th running of the Indy 500 brought onboard the all-new seventh-generation Corvette Stingray. San Francisco 49ers head coach, Jim Harbaugh was asked to take on the pace car duties for the year, he happily obliged. 

 

13. May 24, 2015, the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 would bring a superstar race car driver from NASCAR on board to pilot the 2015 Corvette Z06 Pace Car. Jeff Gordon won his first NASCAR race in Indianapolis before going on to become a legend in the sport. Although he won't be going as fast as he's used to on the track, this supercharged 550 horsepower sports car is certainly capable of high speeds. 

14. May 28, 2017, was the first year where the Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car would not change much in the way of a color scheme from the year before, but the Vette was different. This year for the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500, Corvette debuted its new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport. Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan seat behind the wheel and paced the Indy Car field around the famous track. 

15. May 27, 2018, the 102nd Indianapolis 500 pace car would be another ZR1, but this 2019 Corvette ZR1 would boast 755 horsepower, get a 0-60 time of 2.85 seconds, and reach a top speed of 212 MPH. This powerful supercharged Corvette would be driven by Victor Oladipo, an Indiana University and Indiana Pacers basketball player.

  

16. May 26, 2019, the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 would see another 2019 version of the Corvette as a Pace Car. Following the previous year's '19 ZR1 pace car, the Corvette Grand Sport would take center stage for pace car duties. Getting to have some non-competitive fun on the track would be Dale Earnhardt Jr. pacing the Indy Car field.

 

17. On to the unveiling of the mid-engine Corvette. It was a long-time conversion in the makings, and that made it an obvious choice to become the official Pace Car for the 2020 Indianapolis 500. GM President Mark Reuss was honored to be the driver who got to pace the track for this Indy 500.

 

18. May 30, 2021, the 105th Inianaplos 500 adopts another mid-engine Corvette for pace car duties. Its white exterior color with yellow accents and black rims, makes the Corvette stand out. Chosen to take this beautiful ride around the track is the beautiful and most successful open-wheel racer in history, Danica Patrick. 

19. May 29, 2022, this 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 would bring you a masterpiece 2023 Corvette Z06. This 70th-anniversary Vette was complemented with a naturally-aspirated flat-crank 5.5-liter V8. This sports car was a beast all of its own. Chosen to pilot this Corvette was former Indy Car driver and three-time podium-finisher Sarah Fisher. 

20. May 28, 2023, Corvette paced the Indianapolis 500 with their first-ever convertible hard-top Z06first-ever convertible hard-top Z06. This badass-looking ride is something anyone can fall in love with. So who gets to drive this fine sports car on the big day? Tyrese Haliburton, an Indian Paces basketball point guard. 

2009 Corvette ZR1: The Era’s Most Pinnacle American Sports Car

 

Corvette ZR1 Comeback

Corvette has always made a big splash with their Z-Series sports cars. Badass Vettes such as the ZO6, ZR1, and ZL1 would receive more power and torque, handling capabilities, and all-around upgrades for better track performance than any other vehicle General Motors was pushing on the market at the time (expectation 14 and 15 Camaro Z28). 

Chatter started around 2007 about a new version of the ZR1, a ZR1 that would be so performance-packed it would give it a supercar status that would have its name mentioned in the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. 

This first 2009 ZR1 was auctioned off for a Million bucks to Dave Ressler. He is also the owner of the oldest known Corvette in existence, #003. 

2009 ZR1 Motor and Transmission

A 6.2-liter LS9 aluminum V8 with a Twin Vortices Series supercharger and a top-loaded intercooler powers the ZR1. Hand-built in Wixom, Mi., this powerhouse motor puts out 638 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 604-lb.ft. of torque at 3800 RPMs.

Sure, nowadays there are some stout performers that make more horsepower and torque, but not 13 years ago. 

Controlling all this power is easy with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox and a high-capacity, high-performance clutch that makes anyone sitting in the driver's seat feel like they are driving a professionally-built race car. 

Performance Stats

This General Motors engine and transmission combination is responsible for the staggering numbers that it puts down while going in a straight line. This ZR1 gets from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds while reaching 100 mph in a matter of 7 seconds. The Corvette has no problem covering the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph. With a top speed of 200 mph, without a doubt, this was the most capable, powerful Corvette put into production.  

Frame and Suspension

The ZR1 comes standard with an aluminum frame structure that weighs in at a mere 138 pounds. The frame was the exact frame used on the C6.R race car, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 5.2 pounds per horsepower. 

The aluminum frame rides on a Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension. The Magnetic Ride Control was the most sophisticated suspension of its kind. This ride-control system gives the driver two different driving modes to select—Sport ride-control, ideal for the racetrack, and Touring mode, which is ideal for everyday driving. These modes can be easily switched back and forth in the cockpit by the driver with a push of a button. This may not seem like much of a wow factor today, but back in 2009, this convenience was just starting to become a top technology on American vehicles. 

Tires

With all that power and such a capable suspension, you have to have some way of keeping the tires and wheels sticking to the ground, and in this department, GM spares no expense. When testing the Corvette at the Virginia International Raceway, the stock Michelin tires were eventually replaced with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. With this change, the ZR1 was able to shred a considerable amount of time off of each lap. And that’s when the decision was made, the Michelins that performed the best would come on the best Corvette ever produced.

Braking

You can't have a vehicle with all that power and ability without having an effective way of stopping it. So massive Brembo Carbon Ceramic 15-inch front and 15.5-inch rear vented cross-drilled rotors were added. These rotors can withstand heat of 1000 degrees Celsius before warping. The brake system includes six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. When this system all works together, it creates the stopping power you would need for a 200 mph supercar.

The Looks Of A Supercar

With a wider stance than the average Vette, the ZR1 is designed to take corners better and get around the track faster. Sporting 19x10-inch wheels in the front and 20x12-inch wheels in the back, the look of the ZR1 says nothing but supercar. All buyers would have had the option to choose the color of the wheels, which include a bright silver coated finish, a deep black coated finish, or a chrome finish. All three colors look great, depending on the look you are trying to achieve. There are nine color options for the exterior finish, all of which are in an exotic tint, helping give the ZR1 the supercar look that Corvette is ultimately after. The spoiler on the back is both functional and proportional-looking, and the see-through carbon fiber hood really makes a supercar statement.

Interior Options For The ZR1

When it comes to the interior, the ZR1 came with an abundance of options and colors. The buyer was able to request almost everything from the steering wheel to the door panels be wrapped in rich leather. They would also have the option of different model-specific badges to be placed on the inside of the vehicle.

Power-adjustable heated leather seats with microfiber inserts could be purchased for a better day-to-day driving experience. Corvette also offered a package called the 3ZR. This package included a nine-speaker Bose system, Bluetooth wireless technology, a head-up display, and a SiriusXM satellite radio, making sure that ultimate convenience and comfort could be achieved.

Price Tag And Gas Mileage

With supercar looks, power, and track times to match, this ZR1 puts otherworldly supercars to shame when you compare price tags to performance. When brand new, the MSRP price tag was $112,000.00, which was much cheaper than a higher-powered Farria, Lambo, or Porsche at the time. The ZR1 also rated very high in gas mileage for a 2009 sports car. With an EPA-estimated 14 city/20 highway mpg, the Corvette did better than most vehicles with that size engine. 

The best thing about the ZR1 is for the first time ever, Americans who were in the market for a supercar could finally buy an American-built supercar, minus the outrageous cost of maintenance, luxury tax, and everything else that comes along with owning an overseas supercar.  

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Corvette ZR1: 1970-72 The Rarest Small-Block Corvettes Ever Produced

 

Out of all the years, the C3 Corvettes were produced, it's usually the '68 and '69 L88 big blocks that tend to grab the attention of the muscle car enthusiast. But the truth is that reaching for a 1970-72 ZR1 would be a much better Corvette to reach for if you're an enthusiast looking for that ultimate muscle/sports car. 

From 1970 to '72, the ZR1 was a limited-edition Corvette that was produced pacifically for the racing world. Only 53 were built: 25 for 1970, 8 for 1971, and 20 for 1972. These Corvettes are great investment cars, definitely poised for growth, especially the ones from 1970 when their horsepower was at its highest.

So what did you get with this Corvette Limited-Edition ZR1?

• LT1 350ci. 370HP-suffix CTV-1970, CGY-1971, CKY-1972
• J-56 heavy-duty brake package with dual pin front brake calipers
• F-41 heavy-duty suspension package, 7-leaf rear spring, heavy-duty shock absorbers, heavy-duty 5/8 front sway bar, and heavy-duty spindle struts
• Large aluminum radiator w/expansion tank (only LT1 to come with one so far)
• Steel fan shroud
• No radio, air condition, power windows, power steering, alarm system, rear window defrost, no special trim options.
• And all the specialty options that were found on the L88s that were retired the previous year.

Designed to Race

Much like the COPO Camaro, the 70-72 LT1 Corvette was a rare rugged sports/muscle car designed to produce numbers at the track. Although one was designed to produce at the drag strip and one was designed to produce on road courses, they were both designed to race.

For a car collector who wants to make a good investment, the '70-'72 Corvette ZR1 LT1 is the way to go. The limited numbers produced, the most powerful Corvette of  '70-'72, and well, it's a Corvette makes it a great choice. Also, low options make for low maintenance: power steering, power windows, air condition, etc., can't go bad if you don't have them.

2018 Corvette ZR1: LT5 Overhead Cams

Nothing is ever set in stone when it comes to a prototype that has only been seen in camouflage, but as far as the ZR1 is concerned, we know that it exists, and more and more about it leaks out every week. It should come as no surprise that although the Z06 is probably the baddest American sports car on sale to date, the 2018 Corvette ZR1 will be just that much more badass.

One of the stretched out rumors that has just about come confirmed now is that the ZR1 will be receiving a supercharged LT5 overhead cam powerplant. Amongst the whispers about it for the last year from just about everyone, there are also other indicators. For instance, the massive tall hood is taller than any other hood that Corvette has ever used. This room the hood provides is needed since an overhead cam setup is much taller than an in-block cam engine. The supercharger is a no-brainer when you hear the Corvette drive around the Nurburgring track, the unmistakable whine gives it away.     

The other change that the video will show - believe or not - there will probably be an automatic option for the new ZR1 Corvette. When you hear the Vette whipping around the track, there is no doubt that the up and down shifts are so quick and precise that it’s not something that can be replicated by a human hand. What kind of automatic will be offered? Probably the 10-speed automatic that is offered along with the ZL1 Camaro.

Exterior options seem like they’re going to be broaden this time as well. In an attempt to bring in more sales, it’s highly speculated that there will be a convertible option. A lot of Corvette enthusiast may hate this idea, but the convertibles that Corvette has on the market now are extremely stiff and capable of handling a lot of power and tough cornering. It looks like there will be two different spoiler options, a bigger front splitter option and a few other hidden aerodynamic upgrades that are concealed by the camouflage. The reason for the different and bigger spoiler and spittler options could be because Corvette is in the works for a 1LE option like they have introduced on the ZL1.    

When can we expect a debut date? That’s still unknown, but as time goes on, we will probably hear and see more of the 2018 Corvette ZR1 assuming they’ll have to take it out for more and more test runs. There is a rumor out there - restated by Road & Track - there is a strong possibility that it will be unveiled at the National Corvette Museum.

Whatever the case, I hope it’s soon.

2009 ZR1: This Era’s Most Pinnacle Corvette Ever Built

When it comes to General Motors, nothing but the best engineering has always been used when it comes to their vehicles, and the Corvette is absolutely no exception.

Through the years, Corvette has always made a big splash with their Z-Series Vettes. Corvettes such as the ZO6, ZR1, and the ZL1 would receive just a little more power and torque, handling capabilities, and all around upgrades for better track performance.

But in 2009, no one expected what we were about to see. The introduction of the 2009 Corvette ZR1 would be so performanced packed it would give it a supercar status that would have its name being mentioned in the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini.

Motor and Transmission

The see through Carbon Fiber hood allows anyone close to look inside the engine bay and take a peek to see what powers this Vette. The ZR1 is powered by a 6.2-liter LS9 aluminum V-8 with a Twin Vortices Series supercharger that pushes air through an attached intercooler. 

Hand built in Wixom, Mi. this powerhouse motor puts out 638 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 604-lb.ft. of torque at 3800 rpm. Controlling all this power is easy with a close ratio six-speed manual gearbox and a high-capacity, high-performance clutch that makes anyone who is sitting in the driver seat feel like they're driving a professional racecar.

Performance Stats

This General Motors’ engine and transmission combination is responsible for the staggering numbers that it puts down while going in a straight line. The Corvette ZR1 gets from 0-60 in 3.4-seconds while reaching 100-mph in a matter 7-seconds. The Corvette has no problem covering the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph. With a top-speed of 200-mph, this Corvette is without a doubt the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever produced in history.  

Frame and Suspension

The ZR1 comes standard with an aluminum frame structure that weighs in at a mere 138 pounds. This frame is the exact frame that is used on the C6.R race car, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 5.2 pounds per horsepower. The aluminum frame rides on a Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension. The magnetic ride control is the most sophisticated suspension of its kind. This ride control gives the driver two different driving modes to choose from: the sport ride control which is ideal for the racetrack and a touring mode which is ideal for everyday driving. These modes can be switched back-and-forth right at the driver seat with a push of a button. Doesn’t seem like so much of a wow factor now, but back in 2009 this convenience was just starting to become a thing on American vehicles.   

Tires

Now with great power and a great suspension you have to have some way of keeping the tires and wheels in contact with the ground, and in this department GM spares no expense. By replacing the stock Corvette tires with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, the ZR1 was able to shred off three seconds per lap at the Virginia International Raceway. And that’s when the decision was made the Michelin’s that performed the best would come on the best Corvette ever produced.

Braking

You can't have a vehicle with all that power and all the ability to utilize it in the most effective way without having an effective way of stopping it. So Corvette straps on massive Brembo Carbon Ceramic 15-inch front and 15.5-inch rear vented cross-drilled rotors that can get as hot as 1000-degrees celsius before warping. The brake system includes six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. When this system all works together it is capable of the type stopping power that you would need for a 200 mph supercar.

The Looks of a Supercar

With a wider stance than the average Vette, the ZR1 is designed to take corners better and get around the track faster. Sporting 19-inch diameter wheels in the front and 20-inch diameter wheels in the back, the look of the ZR1 says nothing but supercar. The buyer will have the option to choose the color of the wheels which include a bright silver coated finish, a deep black coated finish or a chrome finish. All three colors look great depending on the look you are trying to achieve. Corvette offers nine different exterior colors, all of which are in an exotic tint helping give the ZR1 the supercar look that Corvette is ultimately after. The bigger spoiler on the back is both functional and awesome looking and the see through Carbon Fiber hood really makes a supercar statement.

Interior Options for the ZR1

When it comes to interior, the ZR1 offers an abundance of options and colors. The buyer can request almost everything from the steering wheel to the door panels to be wrapped in rich leather. The buyer also has the option of different model specific badges to be placed about the inside of the vehicle. Power adjustable heated leather seats with microfiber inserts can be purchased for a better day-to-day driving experience. Corvette also offers a package called the 3ZR. This package includes a nine speaker Bose system, Bluetooth wireless technology, a head-up display and a SiriusXM satellite radio, all designed for a more convenient and exciting driving experience.

Price Tag and Gas mileage

With supercar looks and supercar power and track times to match, a MSRP price tag of $112,000.00 makes this ZR1 one of the best priced supercars of its kind. The ZR1 also rates very high in gas mileage with a rating of 14 city/20 highway mpg. For a V-8 powerhouse, this type of gas mileage is extremely good and should be extremely satisfying for consumers.

The best thing about the ZR1 is for the first time ever, Americans that are in the market for a supercar can now choose an American built supercar that is placed in a class with some of the best supercars in the world..

2017 Corvette Zora C8 Mid-Engine Possibilities

If you are that person who has been hoping and waiting for a mid-engine Corvette, your Corvette may be on its way sooner than you think. Many sources like Car and Driver and GM Authority claim Mark Reuss, head of GM's Global Product Development confirms that the company is already working on the next generation Corvette.

As of now, the C8 Zora-ZR1 mid-engine supercar is being pushed to make a 2017 debut. Estimates of  about $150,000 average price tag could be what Chevy will be looking for, and about only 1500 units will be built, much like ZR1 C4's and C6's.



Why the Push for a Mid-Engine Vette
GM claims there is two reasons for the push of the mid-engine Vette. One of those reasons are after tweaking all of the power that they did out of the ZO6, they realized that they would not be able to put any more usable power into the front-engine Vette because the tires simply just will not handle it.

GM also believes that a mid-engine Corvette could bring in a newer, possibly younger customer base. Instead of a big shot corporate man in America showing his success and his taste for the finer things in life with Porches or Ferraris, maybe a mid-engine Corvette could serve the same purpose.

Performance 
Well, nothing is set in stone, but there should be no reason to worry that you might see a 2017 V-6 Corvette anytime soon. Sounds like a single cam V-8 with direct injection and shut down cylinder displacement will still be what's on the horizon. As for a power rating and or what kind of aspiration will be used is yet to be known.

There has been rumors that as government fuel consumption clamp downs become more and more an issue to car designers, we might see a 2020 mid-engine Vette that could host a V-6 that would leave room for an electric motor that would run the front wheels making it a four-wheel drive hybrid Vette.   



Cockpit and Cargo Space
A mid-engine Corvette will give the luxury of giving the driver and passenger better forward sight lines since there won't be no reason for having an elevated hood. But that also means your view looking backwards will obviously be hampered.

There is also a lot of questions about luggage space. Where will the gas tank go? If it gets located in the front, will there be space for golf clubs, luggage, etc.?

I guess time will tell, I'm sure GM does not even have a clear answer to how and where the transmission, trans-axle, radiator, and exhaust will fit.