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2019 Indy 500 pace car: ‘I love the color’

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — From zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds: That’s how fast this year’s Indianapolis 500 official pace car can accelerate.

It’s the Corvette Grand Sport.

IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan said, “It’s actually the most important car in the race. Without the pace car we wouldn’t know when it would go green.”  

Chevrolet makes four pace cars. Three are needed on race day May 26. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 gets to take home the other one. 

“I love it. I think it’s cool. Every year you expect to see something different. I love the color. It’s a different color, and hopefully I’ll get to win it at the end of May,” Kanaan said. 

This red Corvette comes fully stocked and ready to go. It can also be yours. 

“People can go to the showroom, they can pick up this car, exact package, minus the Indy 500 decal package, but they can go buy one of these today,” said Michael Stouffer, marketing manager for Chevrolet Motorsports. 

This year, the pace car and all 33 vehicles carrying IndyCar drivers in the IPL 500 Festival Parade will match. It’s the first time in 12 years that’s happened. 

Hoosiers can expect to see those festival cars out in central Indiana during the month of May. Fans might even spot Kanaan making a pit stop for pictures.