Restaurateur, best-selling author and host of the Food Network's hit show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Guy Fieri will drive the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Pace Car to lead the field of 33 drivers to start the 2012 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Fieri is an avid classic car collector. He owns a red 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible that is featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Among others, Fieri also has a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible, 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, 1967 Chevrolet C10 pickup, 2006 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 4x4, 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV.
“There are races and then there are races,” Fieri said. “And without a doubt, the Indy 500 is the race that I've always wanted to attend. And now, to be driving the Corvette Pace Car … this is going to be unbelievable.”
“We look forward to welcoming Guy Fieri to the Indianapolis 500,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and CEO. “He's full of energy and is a longtime car guy – a perfect match for ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' I'm sure he'll remember forever the moment he fires up the incredible 2013 Corvette ZR1 and paces the field to the green flag.”
The ZR1 also features advanced technology such as Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Launch Control system with Performance Track Management, a four-channel ABS system, Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brake rotors and an aluminum body structure with advanced structural composites, featuring carbon fiber.
Chevrolet is pacing “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for the 23rd time, with a Corvette leading the field for the 11th time – both event records. The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th anniversary and the final year for the current “C6” generation.