The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette Will Lead the Indianapolis 500 This Weekend!
During a year when motorsports – and especially auto racing – has had to look for unique alternatives to find the funding necessary to keep racing alive, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet have once more partnered together to bring the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” to our COVID-19 infected world. This year, the duo embraced the spirit of past Indy races with the spectacle of Chevrolet’s latest (and arguably greatest) automotive offering as they introduced the 2020 Indianapolis 500 pace car and driver.
On Wednesday, August 12th, IMS president Doug Boles unveiled this year’s pace car, a Torch Red 2020 Corvette Stingray coupe. This year’s race will mark the 17th time that the Chevy Corvette has served as the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500, making it the highest-used model of any pace car in the race’s 109 year history. It made its first appearance at the speedway in 1978.
The 2020 Corvette pace car was introduced by Boles in the Pagoda Plaza. The Corvette was unveiled by Boles and Mike Quinn.
The official pace car of the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500
A torch red 2020 Corvette C8 ?#Indy500 | @IMS pic.twitter.com/Yv3GBRz5ve
— Katie Hargitt (@katiehargitt) August 12, 2020
“We were hopeful when we knew the C8 was going to come out, that Chevy would be able to make it the pace car for this year’s Indy 500,” Boles said during an interview with IndyStar. “We love the relationship with Chevy, and to have a brand-new product, especially a brand-new performance product like the C8 at IMS, it’s just really fitting to highlight the relationship and the performance connection with a car that drives on the road and with ones that compete.”
The 2020 Corvette Stingray Pace Car features the high Wing Spoiler and ground effects package. It comes equipped with the all-new LT2 6.2L V8 engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This Corvette is also equipped with the Z51 performance package, Carbon Flash exterior accents and badge package, GT2 bucket seats, and, of course, it will also wear the unique 104th Indy 500 Livery on the doors and rear quarter panels.
Mark Reuss to Pilot Pace Car
The second part of yesterday’s announcement involved the driver that would helm the might C8 Mid-Engine Stingray. General Motors President Mark Reuss will climb behind the wheel and champion the pace car responsibilities during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 on August 23, 2020. Given the unusual nature of this year’s race, which will be devoid of any attendees except for key personnel, the decision to have Reuss (instead of a celebrity, as is normally the case) pilot the Corvette made sense.
“We haven’t had a bigger advocate for motorsports — not just for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or IndyCar, but motorsports across the board,” said Boles of Reuss. “Mark understands the value of motorsports for their brand and for selling cars.”
Added Reuss, via a news release: “It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to be behind the wheel of the mid-engine Corvette Pace Car at such a historic race as the Indy 500.”
The 2020 Indy 500 will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Despite being the 104th running of this historic race, this year’s event will mark the first time that the race did not take place in May. The green flag will drop at 2:30 PM ET (6:30 PM GMT).
The only way to view this year’s running of the Indianapolis 500 will be to watch it either on TV or online. People from the U.S. will be able to watch the event live on NBC.
