The 2013 Corvette ZR1 Indy 500 pace car. Image: © GM Corp.
The C6 Corvette goes out of production later this year, so picking the latest Corvette ZR1 to pace this year’s Indy 500 is an appropriate send-off for the current generation. The 2013 Corvette ZR1 becomes the 23rd Chevrolet to pace the Indy 500 over its 96 runnings, and is the 11th Corvette model to do so. With 638 horsepower, the ZR1 is also the most powerful production car to ever lead the pack at the Brickyard.
Next year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Corvette model, and Chevy is commemorating this with special badging on all 2013 Corvette models built. Front and rear fascias will wear “60th Anniversary” logos, as will the “waterfall” panel on convertible models. Instruments and door sills get badging, too, and if that’s not enough tribute you can order up the Corvette 60th Anniversary package for any Corvette model.
The 2013 Corvette ZR1 Indy 500 pace car. Image: © GM Corp.
Package buyers get Arctic White paint, a ZR1-style read deck lid spoiler, gray brake calipers, “60th” logo wheel caps and unique exterior badging. Opt for the Graphics Package, and you’ll also get the same Pearl Silver Blue stripes worn by the Indy pace car. Inside, there’s Blue Diamond leather upholstery with suede accents and logos on the steering wheel and headrests.
Chevy hasn’t said whether or not it will build ZR1 pace car replicas, but it wants fans to know that the Anniversary package models look a lot like the pace car. We suspect that a run of pace car replicas is also in the works, but Chevy has yet to decide on equipment levels and pricing.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
