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2008
Daytona 500 Pace Car
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Special
Reports :
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2008
Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car Unveiled at
Central Florida International Auto Show
(reprinted
from Daytona500.com press release)
Special
anniversary gold design to commemorate the 50th running
of “The Great American Race”
As
if the 2008 Central Florida International Auto Show
didn’t already have enough eye candy, automotive
aficionados were treated to something a little extra
on Thursday November 15th.
With
defending Daytona 500 Champion Kevin Harvick at the
unveiling, surrounded by Chevrolet, General Motors and
Daytona International Speedway officials, hundreds watched
the much-anticipated unveiling of the 2008 Corvette
Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car – the Official Pace Car
of The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest, richest and
most prestigious race. The 505-horsepower vehicle, which
has more horsepower than the NASCAR Sprint Cup race
cars it will pace, was unveiled with the pomp and circumstance
worthy of automotive royalty at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando.
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| 2007
Daytona 500 champion Kevin Harvick speaks to the
crowd at the Central Florida International Auto
Show at the Orange County Convention Center. |
2007
Daytona 500 champion Kevin Harvick, Orange County
Mayor Richard Crotty, General Motors’ Jeff
Chew and DIS President Robin Braig unveil the
50th running of the Daytona 500 Corvette pace
car.
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| Almost
unveiled...... |
From
left to right, DIS President Robin Briag, Orange
County Mayor Richard Crotty and 2007 Daytona 500
winner Kevin Harvick. |
“Chevrolet
has been inextricably linked to NASCAR from its inception
and we are honored to support the golden anniversary
of the sport’s premier race – the Daytona
500 – with a very special Corvette Z06 Pace Car,”
said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The
Corvette Z06 has established a tradition in leading
the pack at Daytona, which reflects Chevrolet’s
commitment to racing and the fans.”
It
is the fifth consecutive year that Chevrolet has chosen
the Corvette to pace the iconic NASCAR event and the
Corvette Z06’s special “anniversary gold”
appearance represents one Chevy’s most uniquely
designed pace cars. GM Design developed a striking paint
scheme with an exotic array of stunning hues of Gold,
Red, Blue and White. The graphics scheme is accented
with unique, gold iridescent-coated wheels.
“Talk
about a ‘wow-factor,’” said Speedway
President Robin Braig. “It’s the perfect piece
of machinery to help pace a star-studded field at ‘The
World Center of Racing’ for the historic 50th running
of the Daytona 500.
Apart
from its special paint and the addition of a GM-designed,
integrated light bar and strobe system, the Z06 Pace
Car is almost identical to the street version. A few
of the Z06’s super car-challenging specs include:
* All-aluminum 7.0-liter LS7 small-block V-8
* 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque
* Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires
* Aluminum body structure with carbon-fiber front fenders
* Curb weight of 3,162 lbs.
* Zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds
* Quarter-mile acceleration in 11.7 seconds at 125 mph
* Top speed of 198 mph on the test track
50th
Anniversary Experience
Chevrolet will help celebrate the 50th running of the
Daytona 500 by providing 50 race fans, selected from
all 50 states, a once-in-a-lifetime weekend experience
at the Daytona 500, on Feb. 17, 2008. Ten of those lucky
fans will also win a 2008 Chevy Impala. Now, through
Dec. 3, fans can visit Chevy.com/Daytona500 to enter.
Each individual randomly chosen to represent their state
will win a trip for two to the Daytona 500 weekend,
including two tickets for the Chevy Silverado 250 Craftsman
Truck Series event, the Camping World 300 Busch Series
race and the 50th running of the Daytona 500. The experience
also includes VIP behind-the-scenes access to the Daytona
500, a lap around historic Daytona International Speedway,
private Chevy parties, meet-and-greets with Team Chevy
drivers, as well as airfare and four nights of lodging.
Additionally, 10 of the winners will be selected during
the race weekend to win a 2008 50th Anniversary Chevy
Impala.
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