2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray named pace car for 108th Indy 500

Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS -- Ahead of IndyCar's addition of hybrid power this summer, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's selection for its 2024 Indianapolis 500 pace car delivers a dose of electricity to what has become a staple of 500 pace car lore.

Once again, a Chevrolet Corvette will pace starts and restarts for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing on May 26, this time the 2024 Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe -- the quickest production Corvette in history. The selection marks the 35th time a Chevy has served as a 500 pace car since 1948 and the 21st time that for a Corvette since 1978.

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The 2024 Pace Car for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is unveiled by Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Doug Boles and and Alyssa Haba from Chevrolet Motorsports on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at IMS. This years Pace Car, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe is the fastest Corvette ever produced by Chevrolet.

The Corvette E-Ray, featuring Arctic white exterior paint and a two-tone jet black with natural accents on the interior, is the only sports car that pairs two separate propulsion systems, bringing together "naturally aspirated V-8 power with electrified responsiveness powered by eAWD. The 6.2-liter V-8 comes with an electric motor that delivers an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque through the front wheels to combine for 655 total horsepower.

The Corvette's electric all-wheel drive helps deliver speedy acceleration -- from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds. Its 'Stealth Mode' allows the sports car to run wholly on electric power for up to four miles at speeds up to 45 mph.

Chevrolet's 2024 Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe, the first electrified and quickest production Corvette ever, will serve as this year's Indianapolis 500 pace car. The selection marks the 21st time a Corvette has led the field of 33 to green since 1978 and the 35th overall selection from the Chevy stable since 1948.
Chevrolet's 2024 Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe, the first electrified and quickest production Corvette ever, will serve as this year's Indianapolis 500 pace car. The selection marks the 21st time a Corvette has led the field of 33 to green since 1978 and the 35th overall selection from the Chevy stable since 1948.

“As we anticipate another record-breaking Indianapolis 500, it’s only fitting that the quickest production Corvette will pace the field,” IMS president Doug Boles said in a release. “The performance enhancements tested on the track make their way to the street, and the Corvette E-Ray is a prime example of that Chevrolet innovation.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 pace car will be a 2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray

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