Racing Icon Roger Penske To Pilot Pace Car For 100th Indy 500

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Celebrating 50 years of  the Chevrolet Camaro, and the 100th Annual Indianapolis 500 race, racing legend Roger Penske will be doing the honors of leading the pack before the action begins.

According to a Chevrolet press release, Roger will be driving in a 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition, which was uniquely built just for the race. “Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500 have a long, storied history, and it’s an honor to mark the respective milestones of the Indy 500 race and the Camaro simultaneously,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president of Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “It’s also a privilege to have Roger Penske perform the driving duties, as his team has helped Chevrolet earn four consecutive IndyCar manufacturer titles since 2012.”

The 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition will lead the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana next month, driven by motorsports legend Roger Penske, who is marking 50 years as a race team owner. (Photo by Bret Kelley/IMS for Chevrolet)

Hitting the bricks at indy.

A master of his craft, Penske was a successful driver in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), eventually retiring in 1965 and then building his first Chevrolet dealership in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Roger Penske To Drive Indy 500 Camaro SS Pace CarThere will be four identical pace cars that will also be at the race, and each will feature Abalone White paint with the logo “100th Running of the Indianapolis 500” on the doors. Various graphics will also be included to commemorate the Camaro’s 50th Anniversary package.

“Chevrolet and Roger Penske are inextricably linked to the heritage of the Indianapolis 500,” said J. Douglas Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “When he leads the pack on May 29, behind the wheel of the Camaro SS, he will drive the race into its next 100 years and strengthen the bond Chevrolet and Indianapolis forged a Century ago.”

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Breaking it down, the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Camaro will have both looks and performance. According to the press release, the car will be offered in LT and SS coupe and convertible models, each with Nightfall Gray Metallic exteriors adorned with a 50th Anniversary stripe package and badges.

Camaro Pace Cars Through The Years

• 1967 – RS/SS convertible

• 1969 – RS/SS convertible

• 1982 – Z28 coupe

• 1993 – Z28 coupe

• 2009 – SS coupe (2010 model)

• 2010 – SS coupe

• 2011 – SS convertible

• 2014 – Z28 coupe

• 2016 – Camaro SS (2017 50th Anniversary Edition)

To learn more about the upcoming Camaro, check out our previous article to find out the specifics on this iconic Chevrolet release. The focus here is more so on celebrating the 50 years of the Camaro and its success through the years.

Growing into a flagship model to coincide with other Chevy classics such as the Corvette and the Tri-Five, we commend Chevrolet for keeping the Camaro relevant all these years.

The Camaro LT will have 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that cranks out 275 horsepower, and the Camaro SS will feature the LT1 6.2-liter V8 that throws down 455 horsepower, which by the way, sets it up to be the most power Camaro SS ever. The transmission options will include a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.

Bringing a motorsports legend, an iconic car, and prestigious race together on a single day, the 100th Indianapolis 500 has set itself on a huge stage for the world to see. Will you be there for the race and the festivities?

The 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition will lead the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana next month, driven by motorsports legend Roger Penske, who is marking 50 years as a race team owner. (Photo by Bret Kelley/IMS for Chevrolet)

About the author

nicaguon

Nic Aguon is a graduate from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communications and holds a passion for sleek and unique automobiles. Serving as a Staff Writer for multiple publications at Power Automedia, Nic pledges to bring readers clean and concise storytelling that hits the nail right on the head. A jack of all trades, his interests range from imports to American muscle, hot rods, and Kustoms.
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