Indy 500 Camaro Pace Cars

Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars

In 2011 the Chevy Camaro is about to make it’s 7th appearance as the official Indianapolis 500 Pace car. The first time was in 1967 when Chevrolet was celebrating the creation of the Camaro and Indy 500 honored it by selecting it to pace the historic race. Then just two years later the 1969 Camaro took the honors again as it was invited back to the Brickyard, this time with GM offering replica Pace car Camaros for sale to the public. It was several years before Camaro’s next Pace car duty in 1982. This was the introductory year of the all new 3rd generation Camaro. Then again 11 years later the 1993 Camaro paced the Indy 500 becoming the first car in history to hold this honor 4 times. In 2009 Chevrolet had exciting news again with the release of the 5th generation 2010 Camaro. A return of the legendary car name after an 8 year absence. Camaro would make history again by being selected not only the very next year in 2010, but yet again in 2011. Three appearances in a row is a record beat only by it’s sister car the Corvette.

1967 Camaro SS Convertible

51st Indianapolis 500 – May 30, 1967
Driver – Mauri Rose

The Chevy Camaro first hit the streets in 1967 and to help honor it’s introduction it was named the official Pace car of the Indy 500.

1969 Camaro RS/SS Convertible

53rd Indianapolis 500 – May 30, 1969
Driver – Jim Rathmann

Two years after it’s debut, the Camaro was again chosen as the Indy 500 Pace car. This time Chevy created replica Pace car Camaros for sale to the public. Again, a white convertible, but with striking Hugger Orange stripes and interior.

1982 Camaro Z28

66th Indianapolis 500 – May 30, 1982
Driver – Jim Rathmann (Race Start) + Don Bailey (Caution periods)

The all new 3rd generation Camaro debuted in 1982 and was selected for the 3rd time as the Indy 500 Pace car. Motor Trend also named the 1982 Camaro Car of the Year.

1993 Camaro Z28

77th Indianapolis 500 – May 30, 1993
Driver – Jim Perkins (Race Start) + Don Bailey (Caution periods)

1993 meant an all new 4th generation and a 4th time the Camaro was the Indy 500 Pace car. The stock 5.7L with 275 hp was powerful enough for track duty without any additional enhancements.

2010 Camaro SS

93rd Indianapolis 500 – May 24, 2009
Driver – Josh Duhamel (Race Start) + Johnny Rutherford (Caution periods)

2010 Camaro SS

94th Indianapolis 500 – May 24, 2009
Driver – Robin Roberts (Race Start) + Johnny Rutherford (Caution periods)

2011 Camaro SS Convertible

95th Indy 500 – May 29, 2011
Driver – A. J. Foyt (Race Start)

Posted in Camaro Articles