Chevrolet made it official on Wednesday: the 2026 Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag at the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The choice is fitting on multiple levels. The ZR1X is America’s fastest production car, capable of hitting 60 mph in under two seconds and topping out at 233 mph, numbers that put it in the same neighborhood as the cars it’ll be pacing.
Power comes from a hybrid setup pairing a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 making 1,064 hp with a 186-hp front-axle electric motor, for a combined 1,250 horsepower across all four wheels. For pace car duty, the ZR1X wears the full Carbon Aero package, with dive planes, underbody strakes and a rear wing that generates over 1,200 pounds of downforce at speed.
The livery is just as bold as the car. Playing off America’s 250th anniversary, Chevrolet gave this ZR1X a two-tone treatment that shows Arctic White from the driver’s side and Admiral Blue from the opposite profile, with stars-and-stripes graphics running the length of the car. Inside, Santorini Blue seats get red accent belts and red stitched floor mats. It’s a lot, and it works. Indiana University football coach Curt Cignetti will drive the car in the ceremonial pace laps, a nod to IU’s undefeated national championship season. Not a bad gig.
As for the record books: this is the 37th time Chevrolet has paced the Indy 500, dating back to 1948, and the 23rd time for the Corvette nameplate specifically, more than any other car in the race’s history. America’s sports car leading America’s race, in America’s anniversary year. Chevrolet knew exactly what they were doing here.
The 110th Indianapolis 500 goes green on May 24.
