1998 Indianapolis pace car. Photo from wikipedia.org

The Indianapolis 500 race started the tradition of using a pace car to keep the starting field in order to begin the race from a rolling start. Prior to 1911, almost every auto race utilized a standing start to begin the race. The pace car is required to collect the field back up at a reduced speed for an organized restart after a caution. For all intent and purposes, the pace car is a safety car.

It has also become part of the winner’s booty. Since 1936, the winner of the Indianapolis 500 has been presented with one of that year’s pace cars, or an expact replica of the pace car. Another time honored tradition of the pace car experience has been that a celebrity or former racer, was invited to drive the pace car to start the race. Auto manufacturers fight for the privilege of supplying the pace car to showcase the latest model or special car in their lineup. Several have gone on to become legendary classics, and we count down the top ten Indianapolis 500 Chevy pace cars of all time.

The official 1998 Indianapolis 500 pace car, a Chevrolet Corvette driven by replacement driver Parnelli Jones. Photo from wikipedia.org

#10: 1998 Chevrolet Corvette C5

There was nothing really significant about the 1998 C5 Vette that wasn’t covered in the 2002 and 2005 versions that were also Indy pace cars. We selected the 1998 C5 Vette as one of the top ten primarily because of the events surrounding the event. Originally golfer Greg Norman was tabbed to drive the pace car for the race. Norman even participated in testing runs earlier to get familiar with his responsibilities. At the last minute Parnelli Jones, winner of the 1963 Indy 500, replaced Norman when he withdrew because of a shoulder operation.

The Start of the 1998 Indianapolis 500:

Simply having the great Parnelli Jones behind the wheel changed the character of the race, but a rain delay added to the mystery of the event. The morning rainfall delayed the start of the race by 35 minutes as the work crew attempted to dry the track surface. While the track drying was underway, a dog found its way onto the track in turn four. Officials gave chase and the dog ran down pit lane, eluding the workers halfway around the track until he was caught in the middle of turn two.

The field consisted of the best sprint car drivers in the country including Tony Stewart, J.J. Yeley, Jack Hewitt and pole sitter Billy Boat. Eddie Cheever ended up winning the race with only one other car on the lead lap.

Replicas of the pace car were sold to the public which featured the special “Radar Blue” paint with black and yellow interior. Yellow wheels and special pace car decals gave the vehicle a unique look. Chevrolet’s active handling system, electronic dual zone climate control and leather adjustable bucket seats made this Corvette a desirable car but its duty as the 1998 pace car earned it a loyal following with Vette fans and collectors.

The 1986 official Indianapolis 500 pace car driven by General Chuck Yeager. Photo from wikipedia.org

#9: 1986 Corvette Convertible

The 1986 running of the Indy 500 also had a strange start. Rain forced the race to be rescheduled from Sunday to Monday, May 25. There would be no chance to start the race on Monday however, as the rain fell all day. The 1986 race marked the first time since 1973 that the race was pushed to another day, and the first time since 1915 that a single wheel had not turned all weekend because of rain.

Rescheduled one week later on Saturday May 31, the field pulled away for the parade and pace laps. Suddenly Tom Sneva crashed on the backstretch on the pace lap and the start was waved off. The cars were halted on the frontstretch with a red flag. Officials decided to replenish the car’ fuel tanks with 3 gallons of methanol after which the field restarted, taking two warm up laps before the green flag.

The Start of the 1986 Indianapolis 500:

Retired General Chuck Yeager drove the pace car to start the race. Chevrolet decided to produce ALL 1986 Corvette convertibles with the designation as Pace Car Replica with dealer or customer applied decals for the doors. There was no special embroidery, wheel centers, stripes, spoilers or anything else – just a set of decals. Of all of the Corvette pace cars offered in the six Indianapolis 500 where the Vette was selected as the pace car, the 1986 is the least valuable and most attainable by regular car buyers. Because of its affordability, we selected the 1986 Corvette pace car as the #9th best of all time.