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The 2021 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette Stingray hardtop convertible will lead the 33-car field to the green flag for the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 30, 2021. Chevrolet and the Corvette brand specifically, are no strangers to leading the pack on race day. Chevrolet first served as the pace car beginning in 1948 and this year marks the 32nd time a Bowtie has held such status. This is the 18th time a Corvette has served as the pace car for the festivities. Many will remember the fervor when the new-for-1978, black and silver Pace Car Edition became an instant collectible.
A fleet of Camaros will serve as Festival Cars for the 2021 Indy 500 while the Arctic White C8 Corvette highlights the first laps of the Great Race.
The C8 Corvette has enjoyed a similar response from enthusiasts since it was introduced, and the convertible version selected to lead the 33-car field to the green flag will stand out among the crowd with several race-specific adornments. There are the requisite “Indianapolis 500” logos adapted specifically for pace car use. An exclusive stripe package and unique Stingray decals clearly mark the car’s status and inside, Sky Cool Gray and Strike Yellow upholstery selected for the cabin compliment the racy exterior appearance of the pace car.
Designers integrated the necessary safety requirements such as lighting without ruining the car's sleek profile.
Additional lighting is always required during a pace car’s on-track duties and the additional lighting was craftily integrated into the C8 convertible’s silhouette, eliminating the need for a clunky light bar. Corvette designers incorporated four lights into each of the drop-top’s tonneau cover nacelles, in addition to strobe lights in the headlights, front louvers and taillights. Thereby keeping the car’s fighter-jet profile without making lighting appear as an afterthought.
Danica Patrick will drive the Corvette as it leads the field around the 2.5-mile oval on race day. Prior to this year’s pace car duties, she has competed in the Great Race with eight Indianapolis 500 starts between 2005-11 and in 2018. While she is only making the initial laps around the track this year, Danica will also serve as a studio analyst for NBC’s live race broadcast with host Mike Tirico and fellow analyst Jimmie Johnson during the race.
Danica Patrick will be driving the pace car at the beginning of the race and will also serve as commentator throughout the remainder of the event for NBC.
Live, pre-race coverage of the event starts at 11 a.m. (ET) on NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network. The INDYCAR Radio Network will provide live coverage of the race to its affiliates and on Sirius 211, XM 205, indycar.com and the INDYCAR Mobile App powered by NTT DATA.
