Corvette ZR1 is the 2012 Indy 500 Pace Car

ChevroletChevroletUnited States of America, 1911 > present82 models
3556 photos
7 videos
has supplied the pace car for the Indy 500 22 times since 1948, and this year will be number 23, as the company has just announced this year's pace car for the 96th running of the race will be the Corvette ZR1Chevrolet Corvette ZR1United States of America, 2007 > present5 photos
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“Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway, and we share in the excitement of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the iconic Corvette brand. It’s even more meaningful to see a Chevrolet pacing the field at Indy since Chevy has returned as an engine supplier for the IZOD IndyCar Series for the first time since 2005,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and CEO.

The CorvetteChevrolet CorvetteUnited States of America, 1953 > present7 series
137 versions
552 photos
2 videos
has been the pace car for the race 11 times more than any other individual car, and General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
240 photos
has supplied the pace car 47 times more than triple the next most popular brand Chrysler who has led the race 13 times. 

The ZR1 pace car has an exclusive paint scheme with pace car designation and a blue stripe down the center of the car.

The ZR1 is powered by a supercharged, 6.2l V8 with 638hp. The car has carbon fiber fenders, roof, front splitter, rocker panels and floor pan with a total weight of 3,353lbs. The car is also equipped with a magnetic suspension and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. It accelerates to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205mph. 

This year is the 60th anniversary of the Corvette and is the final year of production for the current generation. 

The Indy 500 begins noon local time on May 27.