Chevrolet Unveils Two Unique '08 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Cars

Two-time Indy 500 Champion Emerson Fittipaldi to Drive Corvette Z06 E85 Concept Pace Car at 92nd Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS - Known for their charismatic designs and superior performance, the pack-leading pace cars share a special place in Indianapolis 500 lore. History will be made at the 2008 Indianapolis 500 when a pair of distinctive yet highly differentiated Corvette models will serve as the official pace cars - one highlighting Chevrolet's commitment to fuel solutions and the other marking 30 years of Corvette's pace car heritage.

Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials gathered at the Indianapolis Auto Show to make the historic announcement.

One of the pace cars is a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept that runs on E85 ethanol fuel, a domestically produced alternative fuel similar to the E100 fuel that powers all of the racecars in the IndyCar Series. It will be driven during the race's pace lap by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

The other official pace car is a black-and-silver commemorative edition that marks the 30th anniversary of the celebrated 1978 pace car - the first Corvette to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet will produce a total of 500 pace car replicas in both coupe and convertible form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette's Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant.

"Although not a production FlexFuel vehicle, the Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is a high-performance example of Chevrolet's gas-friendly to gas-free initiative, demonstrating viable fuel solutions," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "As an ethanol refiner in his native Brazil, Emerson Fittipaldi is the fitting Chevrolet champion to help support GM's efforts with E85 and celebrate 30 years of the Corvette pacing the Indianapolis 500."

The 92nd Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. It will be the Corvette's 10th appearance as the official pace car - a record unmatched by any other vehicle.

"It's only fitting that Corvette will be the first car to earn the distinction of having two models pace the Indianapolis 500 in the same year," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "Chevrolet and Corvette are a vital part of the rich history of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,' and we're honored to have a great champion of the race and of alternative fuels, Emerson Fittipaldi, as this year's pace car driver."

Corvette Z06 E85 concept
The Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is based on the production Z06 - already one of the fastest and most powerful cars on the market - and blends its performance with the high-octane, renewable alternative fuel that is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States.

E85 is blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Its benefits include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and a reduced dependence on petroleum. GM is the leader in E85 production models, with more than 2.5 million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road - with more on the way. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

Apart from the fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required to run E85, the Z06 concept pace car is mechanically stock. It is distinguished by a unique Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint scheme that changes between hues of green and gold when viewed from different angles and in different light. A subtle checkered flag pattern also is part of the paint scheme. Safety equipment and strobe lights are the only other equipment added to the car.

Emerson Fittipaldi: ambassador of racing and ethanol
After winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 while driving for Chevrolet - and spending 30 years in his native Brazil as a refiner of ethanol - Emerson Fittipaldi is the perfect ambassador to lead the Indianapolis 500 in an E85-powered Corvette Z06.

"Most of the vehicles in Brazil are powered by ethanol produced from crops grown in the country, so I understand how a domestically produced renewable fuel can help the energy solutions of a nation," Fittipaldi said. "And the E85-powered Z06 concept pace car proves economic and environmental consciousness can be fun and exhilarating. I can't wait to get it on the racetrack."

Fittipaldi, whose personal cars include a Corvette Z06 and a Camaro awarded after winning the 1993 Indianapolis 500, resides in both Florida and Brazil. He has interests in several Brazilian ethanol companies and is an ardent champion of ethanol as a viable alternative to gasoline.

Brazil - the fifth-largest country in the world - is a global leader in ethanol usage in automobiles. Approximately 70 percent of Brazilian new cars are equipped with FlexFuel systems that allow the use of a gasoline/ethanol mix or pure ethanol. Ethanol production has grown tremendously during the last three decades and has allowed the country to practically wean itself completely from imported oil.

30th Anniversary commemorative edition
Commemorating one of the most recognizable Indianapolis 500 pace cars, the Corvette 30th Anniversary Pace Car features a black exterior with silver graphics that honors the 1978 model - the production replicas of which became instant collectibles and continue to stand as an iconic symbol of Corvette's heritage at the front of the Indy field.

In addition to the exterior color scheme, the anniversary models are equipped with a special, two-tone titanium-color interior, with the Indianapolis 500 logo embroidered on the seats. Coupe and convertible models are available. Each replica will be personally signed and numbered by Emerson Fittipaldi.

Both the coupe and convertible come equipped with Corvette's 3LT option package, Z51 performance package and dual-mode exhaust. Additional features include:

* Choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmissions
* LS3 small block V8 with 436 hp
* New-for-2008 forged chrome five-spoke aluminum wheels
* Corvette Z06 rear spoiler
* Silver checkered flag graphics
* Indy 500 logo fender badges

More information on pricing and availability will be announced a later date.

Corvette at Indy
The 2008 edition of the Indianapolis 500 represents Corvette's 10th time as the official pace car - and a record fifth-consecutive year - and Chevrolet's 19th time as the manufacturer selected to lead the field. Corvette's pace years and details include:

* 1978 - Driven by 1960 race winner Jim Rathmann; Chevrolet produced 6,502 production replicas
* 1986 - Driven by famed pilot Chuck Yeager; all 7,315 production convertibles were considered pace car convertibles and included official graphics (to be installed at the owner's discretion)
* 1995 - Driven by then Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins; 527 production replicas produced
* 1998 - Driven by 1963 race winner Parnelli Jones when an injury prevented golfer Greg Norman from performing the duty; 1,158 production replicas produced
* 2002 - Driven by actor Jim Caviezel; no production replicas produced but graphics were available through SPO - approximately 300 sets sold
* 2004 - Driven by actor Morgan Freeman; no production replicas produced
* 2005 - Driven by General Colin Powell; no production replicas produced
* 2006 - Driven by cycling champion Lance Armstrong; first Corvette Z06 pace car; no production replicas produced
* 2007 - Driven by actor Patrick Dempsey; 500 production replicas - all convertibles
* 2008 - Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi; 500 production replicas - coupes and convertibles

The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day spectator sporting event and the most prestigious auto race in the world. "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" has been run every year since 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, except for the periods during the United States' participation in world wars in 1917-18 and 1942-45. The winner of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 will earn racing immortality, a spot on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy and a record winner's purse of at least $2.5 million.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

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[Thanks to Cole Coonce for the tip]

Psychedelic 70s Car Show [indy500.com]

Related:
Offenhauser Insanity in PA!; I Am Indy: Chevrolet's 2007 Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car Replica [Internal]

Last year we were lucky enough to be feted by the General down at the Indy 500, getting a taste of beer the way it was meant to be served — dripping down our forehead after a half-empty found our noggin an appealing target. Otherwise, it was an amazing experience and although I don't necessarily understand why someone would want to drive around in a Corvette decaled-up to look like the "Official Pace Car" for the race, I understand that some people do like to roll like that. That's why Chevy's creating several identically prepped and "uniquely trimmed" 'vette 'verts, all in the new Atomic Vomit Orange paint with gold ribbon graphics. On a performance level, they'll be equipped with the Corvette's standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. And with pricing at the much-higher-than-standard $69,995 MSRP for the manny tranny version and $68,245 for the paddle-shift model, with no performance enhancements — you better really like decals and pinstriping. Gallery below and release after the jump. – Ray Wert

A 2007 Chevrolet Corvette convertible will pace the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. As it was selected as the Official Pace Car, Chevrolet will supply several identically prepared and uniquely trimmed Corvette convertibles - in new Atomic Orange paint with distinctive gold ribbon graphics - that will serve in the official pace duties of the race, as well as supporting activities.

Five hundred production replicas of those official cars will be offered to the public - all of them convertibles. They'll be available beginning this spring.

The distinguishing features of the pace car replica convertibles include:
Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles
Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics - including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and "Indianapolis 500" door logos
Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges
Z06 rear spoiler
New aluminum "split-spoke" wheels in Sterling Silver
Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
Atomic Orange engine covers

All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette's standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.

Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245.

The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added - as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks. The 2007 Corvette's powertrain and suspension, including the 400-horsepower (298 kW) LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed "Brickyard" race track.

This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.

Production replicas were not offered every time the Corvette was selected as the pace car. In fact, 2007 marks the first time Chevrolet has offered a regular-production replica since 1998. But along with the regular-production models, several dozen copies of all the pace cars have been used for official activities in support of their respective Indianapolis 500 races, such as parades. These cars - known as "festival" cars - have become prized collectibles, along with the limited-edition regular-production replicas.

Related:
All of our I Am Indy coverage [internal]

Danica Patrick hosted a press rendezvous with her new IRL car on the streets of Chicago yesterday, offering the first look of the black, Motorola-sponsored No. 7 car she'll be driving next season for Andretti Green. Breaking from the script, Parick raced up State street, dodging cars and pedestrians, before pulling a four-wheel drift on to Wacker Drive, where she clipped Oprah, who coincidentally had been crossing the street at the time, then stopping near Lake Shore Drive to do doughnuts until the car's tires exploded, sending fragments of rubber right into the poppy seed hot-dog buns of several onlookers. Right. Actually, she did a quick burnout in the rain before posing for pictures for six or seven hours.

Danica Patrick Unveils New IRL Car [Associated Press]

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No NASCAR for Danica: She's With Andretti, Leather [internal]

His friends found him an hour later, slumped over the steering wheel, D.O.A. Note to self — If we're ever "tired" during a scorching-hot day in the infield of a two-and-a-half mile race track, remember not to head out to our sun-drenched oven of a car to cool off.

Local Bar Owner Passes Away At Car Race [Fox 19]

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Before Sam Hornish tried to drive off with the fuel hose and fuel man still attached to his car in this year's Indy 500, the Penske team actually had a couple of successful pit stops. And by successful we mean they changed all four tires, added fuel, and didn't break anything. Also, the blonde you can barely see at the end is Hornish's high school sweetheart and wife. She's nice.

More Wert n' Austin Indy coverage

...Hornish was given a drive-through penalty for his troubles, and he barely escaped that, having knocked wheels with Townsend Bell at the pit exit. Finally back on the racetrack, Hornish wasn't close enough to the front to challenge for the win.

But the caution flag came out on lap 190 when Giaffone got friendly with the wall in turn two. That allowed Hornish, Michael Andretti, and Marco Andretti to take the lead when Wheldon and the other frontrunners needed to make a final pit stop.

So when the race went back to green with four laps to go, the top three were Michael Andretti, his son Marco Andretti, and Hornish. Michael Andretti has been cursed to never, ever win the Indy 500, so he was quickly passed up by Marco and Hornish. Then Hornish made a charge at Marco, but got shut down and dropped a few cars back.

With one lap to go, Hornish gave it all he got to fight to the top, and made Marco his bitch on the final corner. Mirrors, kid, that's what your mirrors are for.

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Tomas Scheckter [Tomasscheckter.com]

Wert (1:29:43 PM): Austin, my boy — what's up?
Austin (1:30:09 PM): I lost your seat man
Wert (1:30:43 PM): It's ok dude. We're both here in the suite. I'll just blog n' eat — cause this is totally cool too...especially since I dunno anything about racing.
Wert (1:31:04 PM): And speaking of that — I've got some questions for you oh-great-one-who-knows-all-about-racing.
Austin (1:31:14 PM): this is the basic idea: go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.
Wert (1:31:30 PM): Ok, but maybe something more technical.
Wert (1:31:45 PM): Like — do they always turn left?

Austin (1:32:13 PM): Sometimes they swerve right, but all the turns are to the left. You are an idiot.
Wert (1:32:47 PM): I mean — it seems like they could really shake things up and like try turning right and go the other way. I mean that could totally like bring in a new demographic to the race, right?
Austin (1:34:18 PM): no
Wert (1:34:25 PM): Oh.
Wert (1:35:46 PM): So Travis Parman, Chevrolet's PR dude-extra-ordinaire is totally trying to tell us that he *loves* it when we call the Corvette "6th Generation" — and doesn't understand why we call it C6. I don't either. Care to explain?
Austin (1:36:46 PM): I'm a little confused. What?
Wert (1:36:52 PM): Nevermind.
Wert (1:37:04 PM): So what's going on in the race — gimmee an update.
Austin (1:37:39 PM): 19-year old Marco Andretti is in 5th
Austin (1:37:52 PM): Helio has fropped back to 9th
Wert (1:37:57 PM): K
Austin (1:37:59 PM): Danica just moved up to 11th
Wert (1:38:04 PM): Is Danica still hot?
Austin (1:38:25 PM): It depends.
Wert (1:38:46 PM): depends?
Austin (1:39:23 PM): On whether or not you think she's hot in the first place
Wert (1:39:42 PM): I think she's hot.
Wert (1:39:50 PM): I'd totally do her.
Austin (1:41:10 PM): It actually takes a fair amount of attention to figure out what's going on, because we can't hear the PA play-by-play here in the suite
Wert (1:41:27 PM): What about on those fancy yellow headsets ya got on?
Austin (1:41:33 PM): And the TV here isn't the ABC feed so it doesn't have all the information graphics
Wert (1:42:28 PM): ABC's not with us today, Leather.
Austin (1:42:42 PM): Wheldon: "Get fucking lyundke off the track, he's fucking terrible." At leadst I htink it was Wheldon
Austin (1:43:02 PM): Yeah we're with scanners so we can listen in on all the pit-to-car communications
Austin (1:45:24 PM): So the first series of pit stops has occured, or is occurring. That when they stop for more gas, Ray
Austin (1:45:28 PM): That's
Austin (1:45:40 PM): Now stop talking to me, I'm trying to watch.
Wert (1:46:20): Fair enough — they just brought fried biscuits in and I totally wanna get me some of that!

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Here's a bit of Indy to keep y'all settled until we get an opportunity to get over to the track this morning. It answers the question held by motor and motor sports enthusiasts alike: What's the coolest job ever? Well, how about being the guy that makes regular cars into pace cars, like Gary Mulder does for Chevrolet. He took us for a hot lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in this year's pace car, the Corvette Z06, and we videotaped all four corners. Check it out! Also remember to keep refreshing this page so you can get all the fresh n' not-so-clean coverage as we take to the Speedway later today. We'll specifically be live-blogging the race in a different and cool way — we hope you'll love it.

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So you know, Austin's all about the ladies forming a line to his left for makeouts and dudes forming a line to his right for hi-fives. Wert is all about tossing his dorkdom to the wind and wincing when it blows back in his face, then posting video of it anyway. Here we have video of Wert attempting to coerce Austin into conning Danica into the line to his left and Austin chickening out. According to Austin's sister, the Austin children are video-averse. Wert, however is a cammin' machine, which makes for some classic, short-short verit . Thankfully, though, neither of our correspondents are wearing short-shorts. Our sporty, spicy brother over at Deadspin had this up earlier today, but since our boys in Indy didn't seem to feel it was Jalop-worthy, we're making an executive decision and posting it here. Now go get that Chaim Witz interview, dammit!

Jalopnik is All Over Indy [Deadspin]

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This is the part where Ray went crazy. And we don't mean the crazy like the crap we pulled earlier in the day. You see, being in a parade is much different than watching a parade. You have unimaginable powers. The whole crowd is watching you, and they're just waiting to be excited. I learned this when Ray hopped aboard the parade car while it was still moving and proceeded to whip the crushing sea of humanity into a near-bloodthirsty frenzy. Just watch it and be amazed. Also, keep in mind that we had no justifiable reason to be in the parade and nobody had any idea who were — oh and we were right in front of the 'Row 1' cars at the end of the parade. Oy. But we digress...

...before Ray climbed on, I was rushed into a 1928 Packard, and we snuck into the parade line — as I said before —right in front of the Row 1 drivers. Despite this seemingly primo spot, back seat passengers Karen Catchpole and Eric Mohl of Trans-Americas Journey were totally ignored by all the PA announcers, as was Team Jalopnik. But, being hangers on, we didn't really mind.

But wait, there's even more awesome to this tale. There was a "TV Zone" in the parade where all of the cameras are focused. And, since we were right in front of the important part of the parade, there was no way we wouldn't be on TV. So upon entering the TV Zone I whipped out the "You're with me, leather" logo and prominently displayed it on the side of the car. Before Ray jumped in to the moving car, he reports that the boom camera at the TV Zone entrance was pointed in our direction and had the red light on. Can someone confirm if we actually made it to broadcast, please?

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It all started in the grandstands at noon...

...things took a turn for the sweet in the end, but the first three quarters of the parade were just not that thrililng. The guy sitting behind probably disagrees, though, judging by the number of times he said "now that's a good-looking car" in reference any one of countless classic rides ferrying a seemingly endless stream of c-list celbrities. And the marching bands, oh, there was an endless amount of marching bands.

Ray, being the blogtastic blogger that he is, was actually writing down notes on his laptop from the grandstands. I was happy with my notepad, in which I noted that Ray is a huge nerd for using his laptop and reading his future blog posts to me out loud in public. I was also puzzled as to why he was taking pictures of every single row of drivers. Ray, you don't have to pay attention until the fourth row or so, none of the people in the back are going to win.

I also noted that the Bob the Builder balloon is awesome, and Scooby Doo riding on top of the Mystery Mobile is more awesome. The Shriners, driving tiny replica race cars, are absoludicrously incredible. And in between floats promoting old people still being alive and science being cool, was the row-by-row driver line up for Sunday. Each row was preceeded by a giant star baloon that looked like Super Mario Bros. come to life. The crowd went crazy for Danica Patrick, seemingly unaware that her car isn't that fast and she hasn't finished better than 8th all year. She does look beautiful in person — cause I've never been so much struck by her beauty so much as her slowness — so I guess that's something to cheer for.

But Danica is nothing compared to Buddy Rice's wife, who is hott, hawt, and quite possibly even haut. Scott Sharp, flanked by two women so beautiful that they caused traffic to stop in a three-county radius, is cleary a pimp. Not to be outdone, Helio Castroneves brought three women in his car, one of whom is Miss Brazil. Note to self, get better at racecar driving.

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More Indy 500 coverage [internal]

We are live from the Speedway! Ray is focused, and my hangover hasn't kicked in yet so the day is going swimmingly. And while Mr. Wert chronicles all of the faces that are being rocked by the Jalopnik crew, I am here to steep you in the history of this grand facility and the super collosal extravaganza that takes place every Memorial Day weekend. Actually, I'm going to tell you what I picked up from track historian Donald Davidson, seen here at the start of our tour.

This is inside the Hall of Fame museum, which is inside the track and is required viewing for any visit to Indy. Donald Davidson is a walking, talking encyclopaedia of Indy. He's been in or around Indianapolis since 1964, which means he's forgotten more about the Indy 500 than we ever knew. Except, you know, he didn't forget any of it. Here's some of the stuff we gleaned.

The track was built in 1909 and originally covered with crushed rock and tar. Except this wasn't too well suited to actually driving fast, so they covered it with bricks in the fall of 1909. 1911 was the first running of the 500, and the winning car sits in the museum, pretty much in original condition. This year is the 90th running of the 500, which has taken place every year except for 1917-18 and 1942-45, 'cause we were kind of busy going to war then.

Do you want more trivia to impress all your friends as you slowly cook the bratwurst at the barbeque? Yeah, I thought so. The Indy track isn't really an oval - it's more like 4 straightaways connected by corners. The corners are all 440 yards long, and the story goes that the track was designed by cutting up a circle and separating them by
as much straight distance as possible.

The brick paving (hence, brickyard) survived until 1936, when they started patching up the rough parts with ashphalt, follow by paving the corners in 1938 and the backstretch in 1939. But after the war everybody was all nostagiac and stuff, so the whole track wasn't smoothly paved in 1961. But the cool part is that the bricks still
exist, and not just the 3 foot stretch at the start-finish line but under the entire track - except for the places where tunnels have been built. Said start-finish line is the only place where some of the brick surface has been removed, due to the diamond-grinding that occured after some vocal complaints from a whiney German dude in a red
car that wins lots of races.

That's all for now, it's off to the parade in downtown Indianapolis. And yes, we are still Indy.

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...receive a selection of swag from our trip — and let me tell ya — it'll be, at the very least "decent" but at the most...it...could...be..."epic."

So here's the deal folks — both Deadspin and Jalopnik feel a certain need, and it's a need for speed. Specifically, it would have to be the need for speed in our own personalized IndyCar. Since Chevy wouldn't give us one of theirs to paint, we were lucky to have found a great little tool over on Indy's website for y'all to use. So we need you, our loyal readers, to put together their bestest IndyCar for each of our respective sites — e-mail your results to tips@jalopnik.com — and remember folks, we'll need those cars before race time, so y'all have until the green flag drops at 1:00 PM Sunday afternoon.

Paddock: Design It [IndyCar]

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More I Am Indy [internal]