What is it and who runs it?

What is the pace car for the 2022 Indy 500?

The 2022 Indy 500 Pace Car is the new 2023 Corvette Z06. Recognizing the 70-year history of the Corvette, this is a version of the 70th Anniversary Edition, decorated with a special white pearl three-layer metallic paint, special Corvette cross ties, red brake calipers and the 70th Anniversary Edition logo on seats, steering wheels and sills. .

It is powered by a 5.5-liter engine that produces 670 liters. It is equipped with the Z07 Performance Package, which has a carbon fiber rear wing, ground effects, carbon-ceramic brakes.

Aside from the fact that this is the 33rd time Chevrolet has traveled on the Indy 500 field since 1948, it is the 19th time in this role for the Corvette, the first time in 1978.

Who runs the 2022 pace car?

Former IndyCar driver and three-time finish podium Sarah Fisher will drive a pace car in 2022. Fisher has often worked as a pace car driver at IndyCar events, and for the past five years has driven it during precautionary periods on the Indy 500, but this year she is a celebrity “official” Pace Car driver as well as driver whenever there is caution on the full course.

Has the Indy 500 pace car ever crashed?

Yes, in 1971. After the decline in oil sales, none of the traditional car suppliers wanted to participate, so four local Dodge dealers, led by Eldan Palmer, intervened and provided cars – Dodge Challenger convertibles running on 383ci 4-barrel engines.

Palmer, a car salesman, was chosen to drive the pace car. He was accompanied by Tony Hallman, the owner of the track, astronaut John Glenn and broadcaster Chris Shankel. Mistakenly thinking he needed to cross the bricks before the field (albeit on the pit lane), Palmer laid out the cone and flag where he thought the braking should have started to stop safely in front of the field. exit from the pit.

However, either this cone was moved or Palmer missed it, because after crossing the finish line at a speed of more than 120 miles per hour, he did not brake too late. Realizing he lacked space and time, he hit hard on the anchor, blocked it, Challenger got out of control and then slipped into place for photographers at the end of the pitlane. The construction of the forest collapsed, 29 people were injured.