Yahoo Autos Corvette E-Ray to serve as Indy 500 hybrid pace car
Plenty of Indianapolis 500-related announcements have been made in recent days by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here’s a selection of the major items of interest, starting with the confirmation of Chevrolet as the supplier of the Indy 500’s hybrid pace car, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe.
“We are proud to announce the E-Ray, which is the first electrified and quickest production Corvette ever, will be pacing the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500,” Scott Bell, Global Chevrolet Vice President said. “As we often say, Chevrolet and IndyCar share the same spirit of competition and performance-oriented, cutting-edge technology, making E-Ray the perfect fit to pace this year’s race.”
According to General Motors, “The Corvette E-Ray is the only sports car pairing two separate propulsion systems to provide naturally aspirated V8 power with electrified responsiveness powered by eAWD, making it one like none. A 6.2L V8 is complemented by the electric motor that channels an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque through the front wheels for 655 combined horsepower. The addition of the electric drive unit helps the E-Ray achieve incredible acceleration – from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds before breezing through the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds. Stealth Mode enables the Corvette E-Ray to drive on electric power for up to four miles at speeds up to 45 mph.”
IMS has also confirmed its singers for race day, starting with former American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.
“The performance of ‘God Bless America,’ on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, is one of the most important tributes to our country and is an often-heard tradition of the pre-race ceremonies,” said IMS president J. Douglas Boles. “Adding Phillip and his voice to the pre-race festivities will round out his weekend of participating in the ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ after having been in the 500 Festival parade and performing at The Vogue the night before the race.”
Another American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, will handle the National Anthem.
“We know that Jordin’s voice and performance will deliver an emotional and stirring rendition of the national anthem as part of pre-race ceremonies for the Indy 500,” Boles added. “The national anthem moment pays honor to the country we love, sets the stage for the hair-raising U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flyover and gets us one step closer to those final, dramatic and electric moments leading up to the start of the Indianapolis 500.”
