Corvette ZR1X Dresses Up In Stars And Stripes For 2026 Indy 500
Chevrolet confirmed the 2026 Corvette ZR1X will pace the field for the 110th running of the Indy 500 on May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
That’s a familiar role for the Corvette nameplate—2026 will be the 23rd time America's sports car leads the field to green and the 37th time a Chevrolet has done the job—but the car itself is unlike any other Corvette. This is a 1,250-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hybrid V8 wearing a stars-and-stripes livery.
For 2026, Chevrolet has tied the ZR1X’s livery to the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary, with a red, white, and blue design that runs across the bodywork. It's a play on Chevy's Stars & Steel collection, which the automaker previewed late last year.
The car itself features a split color treatment—Arctic White on one side and Admiral Blue on the other—along with stars-and-stripes graphics and painted accents over its exposed carbon fiber elements. Inside, the theme continues with blue upholstery, red seat belts, and matching stitching.
For its Indy 500 duties, the ZR1X wears the car's optional Carbon Aero package—including front dive planes, underbody aero elements, and a large rear wing designed to generate more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at speed—figures pretty close to the downforce levels of the IndyCar Dallara DW12 when the wings are absolutely leaned out.
Curt Cignetti, head coach of Indiana University football, will handle pace car duties this year, following IU’s undefeated national championship run.
Cignetti will have Chevrolet's twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 producing 1,064 horsepower with a 186-hp electric motor mounted on the front axle for a combined 1,250 horsepower at his disposal. With all-wheel drive at his disposal, the ZR1X can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under two seconds, with a top speed of 233 mph. Those numbers won’t be seen during pace laps; they do match Alex Palou's four-lap average of 233.043 mph to qualify on pole for last year's 500.
The 2026 Indy 500 will go green on Sunday May, 24 at 12:45 p.m. ET.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, went over the wall during the Rolex 24, and wrenched in the intense IndyCar paddock.
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Love the Theme but wish a little more Red Incorporated into it.
Also thinking the Softer, Brighter color scheme on the passenger/crowd side of the car
Interesting as the MustangGTD that weighs 4400# , 600+ more than this car , is front engined blew this car and all wheel drive car with over 1,000 hp and its rwd brother into the weeds at the Ring by ten seconds .Seems the Mustang should be the pace car as it’s definitely a better handling , faster yet very much heavier car .