2008 Daytona 500 Pace Car
With defending Daytona 500 Champion Kevin Harvick at the unveiling, surrounded by Chevrolet, General Motors and Daytona International Speedway officials, hundreds watched the much-anticipated unveiling of the 2008 Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car – the Official Pace Car of The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race. The 505-horsepower vehicle, which has more horsepower than the NASCAR Sprint Cup race cars it will pace, was unveiled with the pomp and circumstance worthy of automotive royalty at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
“Chevrolet has been inextricably linked to NASCAR from its inception and we are honored to support the golden anniversary of the sport’s premier race – the Daytona 500 – with a very special Corvette Z06 Pace Car,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The Corvette Z06 has established a tradition in leading the pack at Daytona, which reflects Chevrolet’s commitment to racing and the fans.”
It is the fifth consecutive year that Chevrolet has chosen the Corvette to pace the iconic NASCAR event and the Corvette Z06’s special “anniversary gold” appearance represents one Chevy’s most uniquely designed pace cars. GM Design developed a striking paint scheme with an exotic array of stunning hues of Gold, Red, Blue and White. The graphics scheme is accented with unique, gold iridescent-coated wheels.
“Talk about a ‘wow-factor,’” said Speedway President Robin Braig. “It’s the perfect piece of machinery to help pace a star-studded field at ‘The World Center of Racing’ for the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500.
Apart from its special paint and the addition of a GM-designed, integrated light bar and strobe system, the Z06 Pace Car is almost identical to the street version. A few of the Z06’s super car-challenging specs include:
* All-aluminum 7.0-liter LS7 small-block V-8
* 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque
* Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires
* Aluminum body structure with carbon-fiber front fenders
* Curb weight of 3,162 lbs.
* Zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds
* Quarter-mile acceleration in 11.7 seconds at 125 mph
* Top speed of 198 mph on the test track
50th Anniversary Experience
Chevrolet will help celebrate the 50th running of the Daytona 500 by providing 50 race fans, selected from all 50 states, a once-in-a-lifetime weekend experience at the Daytona 500, on Feb. 17, 2008. Ten of those lucky fans will also win a 2008 Chevy Impala. Now, through Dec. 3, fans can visit Chevy.com/Daytona500 to enter.
Each individual randomly chosen to represent their state will win a trip for two to the Daytona 500 weekend, including two tickets for the Chevy Silverado 250 Craftsman Truck Series event, the Camping World 300 Busch Series race and the 50th running of the Daytona 500. The experience also includes VIP behind-the-scenes access to the Daytona 500, a lap around historic Daytona International Speedway, private Chevy parties, meet-and-greets with Team Chevy drivers, as well as airfare and four nights of lodging. Additionally, 10 of the winners will be selected during the race weekend to win a 2008 50th Anniversary Chevy Impala.
