Only one other vehicle has been named indy 500 pace car more often. The greatest drivers in racing will compete for racing immortality in the greatest spectacle in racing at the indianapolis motor speedway. Youve made the commitment and registered for the 2020 oneamerica 500 festival minimarathon. This year marks the 16th time corvette has served as the indy pace car, starting in 1978. Indy 500 news indycar news, updates, information, expert. The indianapolis 500 is an openwheel car race and is currently sanctioned by indy racing league llc, and has been run as an indycar series event since 1996. Dario franchitti to drive indy 500 pace car indycar news. Janet guthrie was the first woman to qualify and compete in the indianapolis 500. The grand sport pace car equipped with the z07 package can accelerate from 060 mph in 3. Espn3 simulcast the race with an alternate feed of twelve incar cameras.
Roger penske will drive the pace car at this years indy 500 indianapolis a unique version of the new, 2017 camaro ss 50th anniversary edition will lead the 100th running of the indianapolis 500 next month, driven by motorsports legend roger penske, who is marking 50 years as a race team owner. The 104th running of the indianapolis 500 presented by gainbridge is scheduled for sunday, may 24, 2020. The 96th indianapolis 500 was held at the indianapolis motor speedway in speedway, indiana on sunday may 27, 2012. Indianapolis throughout nearly a century of races, many beautiful pace cars and two pace trucks have led drivers around the indianapolis motor speedway before the start of. Aug 2, 2012 in 1931 a cadillac 370 twelve was the first general motors vehicle to pace the indianapolis 500.
Ford motor company stepped up with a posh lincoln continental pace car, while vip driver henry ford ii shown here behind the wheel supplied the event with. It was the premier event of the 2012 izod indycar series season. Chevy corvette zr1 is the 2018 indy 500 pace car roadshow. The 2012 izod indycar series was the 17th season of the indycar series, and the 101st season of american open wheel racing. Jeff gordon, official pace car driver for the 99th running of the indianapolis 500, met with members of the media prior to leading the field to the green flag.
Dario franchitti won his third indianapolis 500 in 2012. If you were a time traveler trying to determine, for some reason, what car culture was like in america in any given year, you could pretty much use the contemporaneous indy 500 pace car as your. The dodge stealth was to be the pace car, but the uaw didnt like the joint venture between chrysler and mitsubishi, forcing dodge to use. Team penske news roger penske to drive indy 500 pace car. Indy 500 in 2012 will mark 50 years since studebaker paced the race. Long beach red metallic tintcoat with unique gm design indy 500 decal package. The overnight television rating for the race was 4. The only thing missing from this magical indianapolis 500 mix is you. Threetime indianapolis 500 winner dario franchitti will drive the pace car for this years indy 500 in may. Indianapolis 500 celebration race trackside at indy 2012. A rundown of 30 of the best indianapolis 500 pace cars of all time including drivers and pertinent details. The 2012 indianapolis 500 race day was broadcast live in high definition in the united states on abc. The caution pace car driver is a professional and for the last 10 years it has been three time indy 500 winner johnny rutherford.
Browse through latest news and updates from indy 500 at indianapolis motor speedway on may 14th, 2019. Izod indycar series race number 5 of 15 sunday, may 27, 2012 at indianapolis motor speedway, speedway, in 200 laps on a 2. Indycar along with analysis and opinions from motorsport experts. Its great to have fourtime indycar series champion and threetime indy 500 winner dario franchitti driving the 2014 camaro z28 pace car, said jim campbell, chevrolet u. We are honored that dale will add indy 500 pace car driver to his long legacy with chevrolet. He is a true champion who has earned the respect and admiration of competitors and race fans alike. Restaurateur, bestselling author and host of the food networks hit show diners, driveins and dives guy fieri will drive the 20 chevrolet corvette zr1 pace car to lead the field of 33 drivers to start the 2012 indianapolis 500. In the following years, 25 bowtiebrand vehicles paced the race, while the 2016 pace car will be the ninth camaro to do so. Wthr what better pace car for the 2019 indianapolis 500 presented by gainbridge than the 2019 corvette grand sport. Its premier event was the 96th indianapolis 500, held on sunday, may 27. The 500 festival team is hard at work making necessary adjustments for the new parade dates. The best indianapolis 500 pace cars of all time macs. This will be the 16th time a corvette has served as the pace car, starting in 1978, and the 30th time a chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948.
The 10 worst indy 500 pace cars of all time indystar. Each driver participant must be 18 years of age or older, under 65 in height, and under 250 lbs. He came close to victory at the indy 500 in 2012, but he wrecked on the final lap, allowing dario franchitti to take the win. Youd think that the arrival of the allnew c4 corvette for 1984 would have made that chevy a shooin for pacecar duties at the indy 500 that year. Get the best deals on indianapolis 500 souvenir when you shop the largest online selection at. Currently, the pace car driver for the caution periods is the same driver who drives the pace car for the indy racing league during all other events. He competed in a total of 17 brickyard 400s at ims with a best finish of fourth in 2012. Indianapolis threetime indianapolis 500 winner dario franchitti, feeling very lucky after his horrific indycar crash in october, will drive the pace car in the 98th running of the indy 500. Since then general motors has had 47 vehicles be the pace setter for the great american race.
In 2012, power topped the standings entering the final at auto club speedway, but an inexplicable crash left the title to ryan hunterreay. Wwe superstar sheamus named honorary pace car driver for 62nd daytona 500. Parnelli jones came within three laps of the 1967 indy 500 in a turbinepowered car and andy granatelli and stp were back the next. The indianapolis 500 is considered one of the most traditional and historical races in the world, and is also considered one of the three most significant motorsport races in the world. The black car is a 30th anniversary edition 500 copies to be made. Culinary rock star fieri to drive indy 500 pace car restaurateur, bestselling author and food networks diners, driveins and dives host guy fieri is an a. See more ideas about general motors, cars and indy cars. Trump backs out of indy 500 pace car drive indycar news. The car used is frequently an exact replica of the official pace car but the big difference is the experience and skill level of the driver. But, its not the worst noncar to be an indy 500 pace car. Clocking in at 212 mph and 755 horsepower, this years pace car is the most powerful to take the track at ims. Join us memorial day weekend and see who will drink the milk and kiss the bricks.
The race is remembered historically as a moment of firsts for the event. For the win talked with the retired nascar driver about attending his first indy 500 and being welcomed by indycar drivers. The chevrolet corvette pace car registry 2012 indy 500. See more ideas about indy cars, indie and indy car racing. Lost in the hoopla over last weeks unveiling of the 2012 chevrolet camaro zl1 at. As a notforprofit organization, the 500 festival is supported by corporate sponsorships, event ticket sales, participation fees, and. Cars edit wikimedia commons has media related to indianapolis 500 pace cars. The ipl 500 festival parade has been rescheduled for saturday, august 22, 2020. Indy 500 pace cars and drivers indy motor speedway. Here, in mcgs view anyway, are some of the best indy 500 pace cars through the years. For the first time since 1996 all entries featured turbocharged engines, and all entries were brand new modelyear chassis, as part of the iconic project. Roger penske will lead the field of the 100th running of the indianapolis 500 to the green flag as the pace car driver.
The 1971 indy 500 pace car, driven by local dodge dealer eldon palmer, lost control in pit lane and crashed into a. Indy 500 in 2012 will mark 50 years since studebaker paced. No prior experience is needed, and an orientation will be completed before the drive program to make sure customer is comfortable inside the car and prepared in all. This new date maintains our longstanding tradition of holding the parade on the day before the indianapolis 500. Sometimes it doesnt warrant a new, dedicated thread for the few pics you may snap at a local meet. This lead the pack of 33 cars racing at the 88th running on the. No replacement driver for the chevrolet camaro pace car has been selected, but fans would prefer a former 500 winner.
Santa monica, ca undaunted in his 11th indy 500, longtime santa monica resident oriol servia thinks his shot is as good as anyones. Donald trump to drive 2011 chevrolet camaro ss indy 500 pace. Perhaps unsurprisingly, its another chevy, the corvette, with appearances to its credit. The indy 500 pace car as a guide to how fucked things are.