The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is getting an undeniably American hypercar to lead the pack this year. Chevrolet has officially announced that the 2026 Corvette ZR1X will serve as the Pace Car for the 110th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24th.
Behind the wheel of the 1,250-horsepower track weapon will be Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti. Fresh off celebrating an undefeated National Championship season with IU, Cignetti has been named the honorary driver and will pace the field of 33 cars to the green flag.
Patriotic Livery for America’s 250th
To celebrate the nation’s semi-quincentennial (250th) anniversary, Chevrolet designers gave the ZR1X a bold, purpose-driven aesthetic. Designed in tandem with the “Stars and Steel Collection,” the hypercar features an incredible custom split-paint job, appearing Arctic White from the driver’s side and Admiral Blue from the opposite profile.
The patriotic theme is tied together with a striking stars-and-stripes decal package and a painted stripe running directly down the carbon fiber spine of the rear hatch. Inside the cockpit, the ZR1X is fitted with Santorini Blue seats paired with contrasting red seat belts and red-stitched floor mats.
Track-Ready Performance
While the automotive world is already well-acquainted with the staggering capabilities of the ZR1X, its performance metrics make it uniquely over-qualified for Pace Car duties. Combining a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 with a front-axle electric motor, the all-wheel-drive Corvette puts down a combined 1,250 horsepower.
For the Indy 500, the Pace Car is fully equipped with the Carbon Aero package. Utilizing dive planes, underbody aero strakes, and a massive rear wing that generates over 1,200 pounds of downforce, the ZR1X is capable of hitting 233 mph, allowing it to easily set the pace for the IndyCar field.
This year’s race marks the 37th time a Chevrolet has paced the Indianapolis 500 dating back to 1948, and the 23rd time the Corvette has been chosen for the honor since 1978.
Join the Discussion
Will you be tuning in to the 110th Indy 500 this May to see the ZR1X lead the pack? What do you think of the split-color patriotic livery? Head over to the GM-Trucks.com forums and let us know!
Zane Merva is the Executive Editor of GM-Trucks.com and the President of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). A veteran automotive journalist with over 26 years of experience, Zane is a designated ‘Car Talk’ Expert and has been a contributor to The Boston Globe. He possesses a unique evaluative perspective, having road-tested more than 2,000 vehicles across every major manufacturer. While he is a recognized authority on General Motors truck platforms—including the Silverado, Sierra, and Colorado—his expertise is grounded in decades of deep competitive analysis that few in the industry can match. His commentary has been featured by major OEMs and media outlets, including Hyundai and PR Newswire