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     A Z06 is one of two Corvette models that will pace the 2008 Indy 500.  Chevrolet executives and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials unveiled the two cars at the Indianapolis Auto Show.

    So, who thought that Chevy was going to forget the "lowly" Z06, now that the new 600-hp ZR1 is making headlines?  Not on your life.  Millions of people wlll see the two Vettes stepping off the racing cars on May 25th.

     It will be the first time the Brickyard classic will have a pair of pacers and it will be the fifth straight year that a version of the Corvette had the honor of helping the "gentlemen" (and Dana) start their engines.

     Emerson Fittipaldi - who won the race twice - is scheduled to drive the custom-decorated Corvette Z06 during the race's pace lap.  Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials said that this Corvette pace car will be operating on E85 ethanol fuel as it circles the massive track.  E85 is said to be similar to the 100-percent fuel-grade ethanol used in track cars competing in the IndyCar Series.

     The second pace car will have a special black-and-silver paint job to commemorate the famous 1978 Corvette Official Pace Car - the first example of the nameplate to lead the pack at Indy.  Chevrolet said that 500 copies of the 30th Anniversary Commemorative Edition Pace Car will be manufactured.  The 500-car run of Indy 500 editions will include both coupes and convertibles.  Fittipaldi will autograph each of the cars at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Better get on line!

Corvette Z06 E85 concept

     The Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is based on the production Z06 - already one of the fastest and most powerful cars on the market - and blends its performance with the high-octane, renewable alternative fuel that is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States.

     E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.  Its benefits include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and a reduced dependence on petroleum.  GM is the leader in E85 production models, with more than 2.5 million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road - with more on the way.  Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

     Apart from the fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required to run E85, the Z06 concept pace car is mechanically stock.  It is distinguished by a unique Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint scheme that changes between hues of green and gold when viewed from different angels and in different light.  A subltl checkered flag pattern also is part of the paint scheme.  Safety equipemnt and strobe lights are the only other equipment added to the car.

30th Anniversary commemorative edition 

     Commemorating one of the most recognizable Indianapolis 500 pace cars, the Corvette 30th Anniversary Pace Car features a black exterior with silver graphics that honor the 1978 model - the production replicas of which became instant collectibles and continue to stand as an iconic symbol of Corvette's heritage at the front of the Indy field. 

          In addition to the exterior color scheme, the anniversary models are equipped with a special, two-tone titanium-color interior, with the Indianapolis 500 logo embroidered on the seats.  Coupe and convertible models are available.  Each replica will be personally signed and numbers by Emerson Fittipaldi.

     Both the coupe and convertible come equipped with Corvette's #lt option package, Z51 performance package and dual-mode exhaust.  Additional features include:

• Choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmissions
• LS3 small block V8 with 436-hp
• New-for-2008 forged chrome five-spoke aluminum wheels
• Corvette Z06 rear spoiler
• Silver checkered flag graphics
• Indy 500 logo fender badges