2006
Opening Day At The Indianapolis Motor Speedway
As
part of the opening ceremonies in preparation for the Indy
500, Sunday May 7 was rookie orientation and qualification
day. In honor of the Speedway's 90th Anniversary, and as
part of the opening ceremonies, the 2006 Corvette Z06 Pace
Car led a parade lap of 90 Corvettes as part of the plans.
Corvette
Marketing turned to the National Corvette Museum (NCM) to
arrange for the 90 Corvettes, and NCM members and supporters
Jim & Sharon Love stepped up to the plate to help with
the arrangements and the gathering of the 90 Corvettes.
With only a short amount of time to meet the request, Sharon
& Jim turned to the clubs in the Indianapolis area to
get the word out. Participants were taken on a first come
basis and the 90 slots and 5 standby positions were filled
in a matter of a couple of days. Participants received passes
to the event, parking in a special corral and lunch in addition
to the parade lap.
The
cars lined up three abreast with 15 rows ahead of the row
of bricks which they started in line with Pit 10. The remaining
15 rows lined up on the row of bricks and followed out on
track for a total of 90 Corvettes. The actual Corvette Pace
Cars from the museum were in Pit Lane with the Borg Warner
Trophy. After the lap the three rows exited out of this
Bus Gate.
Wil
Cooksey, Plant Manager, GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant
was introduced, to present the 2006 Indianapolis 500 pace
Vehicle to Brian Barnhart, President and COO for the Indy
Racing League.
