The new Camaro Z/28 is upon us, and the press is raving about how this husky muscle car is an absolute killer on the track. Is it any wonder that the Z/28 has been chosen to pace the races at another track? Indeed, the 2014 Z/28 is the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500, and it’s just been announced that three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti will be pacing the race on May 25.
Camaros have a strong history as pace cars, starting with the model’s inaugural year, happening again in 1969, and seven more times including this year. Says Franchitti, “It is a tremendous honor for me to be asked to drive the Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500. As a historian of motorsport and as a three-time winner of this great race, I will appreciate every minute of getting to pace the field in the new 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Although I won’t be competing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, this will be as close as one person can get to the action. I can’t wait until May in Indianapolis.”
As the winner of the 2007, 2010 and 2012 editions of the Indy 500, Franchitti is only the third driver ever to win at least three consecutive IndyCar titles. For 2014, Franchitti will begin a driver development role with Chip Ganassi Racing, which will use Chevrolet power for the 2014 IndyCar season.
“Dario is a true champion who has earned the respect of competitors and race fans alike. It will be very special to have Dario lead the field to the green flag in the Camaro Z/28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” says Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, Jim Campbell.
Chevrolet has a storied history at Indy. The Chevrolet brothers all competed in early Indy 500 races, with Arthur Chevrolet competing in the 1911 race and Gaston Chevrolet winning it in 1920.
Comments
A black Pace Car? Hope Dario remembers to pull of the track coming to the green! Old habits are hard to beat. Then again, he might lead a lap with the Z28?
It’s a road course,the Z/28 might win the race!!!