Presented by Gainbridge, ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ will be Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Red, white, and blue pace car livery in tribute to America’s 250th anniversary
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field of 33 drivers to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24. (Photos courtesy of Chevrolet)
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500. Presented by Gainbridge, the race will be held on Sunday, May 24, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
As America’s quickest production car, the Corvette ZR1X Pace Car is a high-powered celebration of America’s semiquincentennial anniversary. These design and performance updates seamlessly tie into this year’s red, white, and blue livery, which Chevrolet says honors purpose-driven patriotism and American craftsmanship.
Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti will serve as the honorary Corvette Pace Car driver. (Image from IndianapolisMonthly.com; photo by Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics)
Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti will be the honorary Pace Car driver. Cignetti is being honored as a force behind IU Football’s undefeated National Championship season. He will pace the field of 33 drivers in the Corvette ZR1X to start “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“America’s hypercar will be front and center at the Indianapolis 500, and it has the speed to stay there,” Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tony Roma said in a statement. “The ZR1X is made for the race track. This Corvette, inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, will absolutely give Coach Cignetti and the fans a thrill.”
The Corvette ZR1X delivers a peak 1,250 horsepower across all four wheels. The hybrid hypercar combines a 186 hp electric motor on the front axle with a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. The powertrain channels 1,064 hp to the rear wheels.
Carbon Aero Package
For the Pace Car role, the Corvette ZR1X features the Carbon Aero package, including dive planes, underbody aero strakes, and a rear wing that generates over 1,200 pounds of downforce at speed.
For Pace Car duty, the ZR1X is equipped with the Carbon Aero package, which includes:
- Dive planes on the front bumper;
- Underbody aero strakes;
- Rear wing, which creates more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.
The Corvette ZR1X can reach 60 mph from a standstill in less than 2 seconds (1.89, actually). With a top speed of 233 mph, it approaches the speeds of race cars in the field.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, this pace car design reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re headed,” Chevrolet Global Executive Design Director Phil Zak said. “Every element — from the badging to the colors — was deliberately crafted to honor this milestone while expressing a forward-looking vision of Chevrolet design.”
Designed with the Stars and Steel Collection, the Corvette pace car is wrapped in stars and stripes decals.
Stars and Steel Collection
Designed with the Stars and Steel Collection, the pace car is wrapped in stars-and-stripes decals. The ZR1X pace car is painted Arctic White on the driver’s side and Admiral Blue on the opposite profile. Painted striping runs along the ZR1X’s carbon fiber spine on the rear hatch.
Inside, Santorini Blue seats feature red accent seat belts and red stitched floor mats.
“Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels especially fitting this year as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said in a statement. “With racecar-like performance, the Corvette ZR1X is the perfect choice to pace the field of 33 in the Indianapolis 500.”
The engine compartment of a production version Corvette ZR1X.
Corvette Dominates Pace Car History
A Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car, Chevrolet says. The 2026 race marks the 37th time a Chevy has paced, dating back to 1948, and the 23rd time overall, all since 1978.
The available carbon fiber wheels and standard J59 carbon ceramic brake package for the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X.
IF YOU GO
Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all May events and activities at IMS.
- Race Day Hours: Gates open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; cars on track at noon.
- Race Day General Admission: $60 in advance, $65 at the gate; (expect grandstand seating to be sold out for race day)
- Race day reserved seating: $90;
- Sunday, May 24, Coors Light Snake Pit: $85 in advance, $100 day of; VIP Wristband $220 in advance, $240 day of; *Does not include gate admission.
- Friday, May 22, Miller Lite Carb Day: $50 ($55 day of); Concert pit upgrade, $40; Concert VIP, $285;
- Saturday, May 23, Legends Day & Drivers’ Meeting: $20;
ADA Accommodations: To purchase ADA Tickets and Parking or for questions regarding ADA accommodations, contact the IMS Ticket Office at (317) 492-6700 or ada@brickyard.com
