"Indianapolis 500" Or Indy 500 Celebrate 100 Years of History

Chevrolet competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500. One hundred years later, a Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible will lead the 2011 Indianapolis 500, as the car maker and iconic race celebrate their Centennial anniversaries – and start the countdown for Chevrolet’s return to IndyCar racing in 2012.

History includes some of the most memorable cars that have paced the Indianapolis 500, well as many checkered flags won under Chevrolet power,” Campbell said. “With a new Chevrolet race engine competing in next year’s race,

Louis, Arthur and Gaston Chevrolet compete at Indianapolis 500 From 1911 to 1920:

Although 2011 marks the 100^th anniversaries for Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500, the connection can be traced back to as early as 1905.

22 Chevrolets Vehicles Pace the Indy 500 From 1945 to Upto Now:

Chevrolet has paced the Indianapolis 500 more times than any other brand,” said Campbell, the 2011 Camaro SS Convertible Pace Car brings a modern interpretation of one of the most iconic cars ever to pace Indy – the 1969 Camaro SS Pace Car. We think this is a fitting way to celebrate Chevrolet’s history with the Indy 500, while gearing up for our next 100 years at Indy.”

The first Chevrolet to pace Indy, a 1948 convertible, was driven by Indianapolis Speedway President Wilber Shaw.

Ten Corvettes have paced the Indianapolis 500. The first appearance was in Corvette's 25^th anniversary year, 1978. That year, the Wall Street Journal triggered a buying frenzy for the official 1978 Corvette Limited Edition Pace Car replicas when it published a front-page story about their collectability.

2012: The Return of Chevy Power to IndyCar

In addition to pacing the Indy 500, Louis Chevrolet’s namesake has also powered many of the cars that competed at the Brickyard.