Gordon To Pace 99th Indy 500 Field

Jeff Gordon to drive Corvette Z06 pace car
Five-time Brickyard winner starts the 99th Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis—Five-time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon will drive the pace car for the 2015 Indianapolis 500.

Gordon was in town for a NASCAR tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, and broke for a couple of laps behind the wheel of the fully-prepped Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to try it out.

Waiting for him at the conclusion of his 160-mph plus tour of the track were IMS President Doug Boles and Jay Chapman of Chevrolet to make the announcement.

“It’s a great car,” Gordon said, “and it’s such an honor to drive this car in front of the Indianapolis 500 field to start the race. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Gordon explained that he plans to race in the evening NASCAR event on Memorial Day in Charlotte, NC.

“I’ll be here early Sunday morning, pace the field and then watch a few laps with my family,” he said.

Gordon has an abiding love for The Great Race that dates back to his childhood in nearby Pittsboro, IN.

“I dreamed about this race as a kid, got to come in to the race in 1983 when Al Unser, Jr won it,” he said. “I sat in the grandstands right up here (pointing) and got the autographs of my heroes.”

He also squashed any rumors before they got started about driving “The Double” as drivers call the combination of the 500 and Charlotte.

“This is as close as I think I am going to get.”

Race fans can follow Jeff Gordon and his Corvette Z06 pace car experience on Twitter at #JGPace2Race.

Gordon’s drive will mark the 13th time a Corvette has been the official pace car, dating to 1978, and the 26th time a Chevrolet has led the pack for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Corvette has served as the pace car more than any other vehicle in the race’s history.

With 650 supercharged horsepower, a seven-speed manual transmission and a track-capable chassis system, Gordon will have no trouble keeping in front of the race field in the production-spec Corvette Z06. Featuring an Arctic White exterior and Adrenaline Red interior, only its unique Indy graphics package and safety strobe lights distinguish it from other production models.

 

2015 Ticket Information: Ticket information is available for all racing events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2015 – the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, 99th Indianapolis 500, Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, Lilly Diabetes 250, Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

Fans have three quick, convenient methods to buy tickets:
• Online: Visit www.ims.com/tickets. Tickets are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• Phone: Call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
• In Person: Visit the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at 866-221-8775 for more information.
Information on parking and camping at IMS events is available at www.ims.com/tickets.

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