2026 Corvette ZR1X to Lead the 110th Indianapolis 500
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will officially pace the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced.
This marks the 10th consecutive year a Corvette has served as the official pace car for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." The streak began in 2017 with a C7 Corvette Grand Sport and includes the non-X C8 ZR1 in 2025. Since 1978, a Corvette has paced the field 23 times.
Performance and Design of the ZR1X Pace Car
The ZR1X pace car comes equipped with the Carbo Aero package, which includes:
- A larger rear wing for enhanced stability
- Dive planes on the front bumper to improve aerodynamics
- Underbody aero elements to reduce lift at high speeds
While the ZR1X is capable of reaching 233 mph, the pace car’s aero package slightly reduces its top speed. During the race, it will not approach these speeds, as its role is to maintain a safe and controlled pace for the field of 33 IndyCars.
The pace car features a custom two-tone paint job—Arctic White on the driver’s side and Admiral Blue on the passenger side. Inside, the Santorini Blue seats are paired with red seatbelts, and the floormats include red stitching. The patriotic color scheme aligns with the 110th Indianapolis 500 coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary.
Honorary Pace Car Driver Announced
Curt Cignetti, head football coach at Indiana University, will serve as the honorary pace car driver. Cignetti led his team to an undefeated season and a National Championship earlier in 2025.
"The ZR1X is made for the race track," said Tony Roma, chief engineer for Chevrolet’s Corvette and performance car team. "This Corvette, inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, will absolutely give Coach Cignetti and the fans a thrill."
Race Details and Broadcast Information
The 110th Indianapolis 500 will air live on Fox beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET on May 24. The green flag is scheduled to drop at 12:45 p.m. ET.
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