2026 Corvette ZR1X Pace Car Is Part Racecar, Part Patriotic Masterpiece

The 110th Indianapolis 500 is shaping up to be one for the history books, and not just because of the racing. On May 24, the legendary “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will kick off with a pace car that belongs in a class all its own, the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X.

This isn’t just America’s sports car. It’s America’s hypercar, and it’s leading 33 of the world’s fastest racing machines to the green flag.

1,250 Horsepower, Zero Excuses

Let’s get straight to the numbers, because they’re absolutely wild. The ZR1X pumps out 1,250 total horsepower through a hybrid powertrain that combines a 186-hp electric motor on the front axle with a monstrous 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 1,064 hp at the rear. The result? Zero to 60 mph in under two seconds, and a top speed of 233 mph – figures that rival actual race cars.

“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. “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.”

He’s not wrong. The pace car configuration also adds Chevy’s Carbon Aero package, including dive planes, underbody aero strakes, and a full rear wing that generates more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. That’s more aero grip than most track-day monsters, on a car you can legally drive to the grocery store.

A Livery That Celebrates 250 Years Of America

The Corvette ZR1X rolling down pit lane on race day won’t just be fast, it’ll be a rolling piece of art. Designed in tandem with Chevy’s Stars and Steel Collection, this exclusive pace car was custom-painted in a two-tone scheme: Arctic White from the driver’s side and Admiral Blue from the passenger side, with stars-and-stripes decals stretching across the body. The carbon fiber spine on the rear hatch gets its own painted striping, and inside, Santorini Blue seats are paired with red accent seatbelts and red-stitched floor mats.

“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 – were deliberately crafted to honor this milestone while expressing a forward‑looking vision of Chevrolet design.”

We think the design looks freaking SWEET! It’s bold, patriotic, and unapologetically American. It’s fitting for a car that was born on the track.

Coach Cignetti Gets The Keys

Behind the wheel for the ceremonial pace laps will be Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti, who’s honored for leading IU Football to an undefeated National Championship season. It’s a cool nod to Indiana’s biggest sports story in recent memory, and you can bet Coach Cignetti won’t be taking it easy on the throttle.

INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles made clear why this particular pairing of car and occasion makes so much sense:

“Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels especially fitting this year as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. With race car-like performance, the Corvette ZR1X is the perfect choice to pace the field of 33 in the Indianapolis 500.”

Corvette’s Legendary Indy History

The Corvette ZR1X isn’t just any pace car, it’s the latest chapter in one of motorsport’s most storied traditions. Corvette is the longest-running nameplate in automotive history, and no car has paced the Indy 500 more often.

The 2026 race marks Chevrolet’s 37th time as pace car dating back to 1948, and the 23rd time for the Corvette specifically, all since 1978. No other car comes close.

Mark Your Calendar

The 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will be held on Sunday, May 24th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Whether you’re heading to the track or catching it from the couch, the sight of a 1,250-hp American hypercar leading 33 open-wheel racers into Turn 1 is going to be something special.

Tickets and event info are available at IMS.com.