What Is It?
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car
What's Special About It?
On February 19, a specially prepared 2006 Corvette Z06 will pace the 48th running of the Daytona 500, and Tonight Show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno will be behind the wheel. It is the second year in a row that a Corvette will pace NASCAR's premier race, which takes place in Daytona, Florida, and the second year in a row Leno will drive a Corvette pace car. Last year the comedian drove the Corvette that paced the Indianapolis 500.
Hollywood's most visible car guy was even on hand to unveil the Z06 pace car at the L.A. auto show today, treating the assembled media to 25 minutes of schtick with GM vice president Mark LaNeve.
Although mechanically identical to a production Z06, the Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 is outfitted with a variety of safety equipment, highly visible strobe lights and an outlandish multicolored paint scheme. GM says the design was inspired by the hot-to-cool color transition of a space capsule entering Earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed.
"As if the Corvette Z06 needed help in looking fast, the intricate paintwork of the pace car gives it the appearance of tremendous speed," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "It is one of the most elaborate and stunning vehicle designs we've created."
GM says nearly 11 million Americans will watch the 2006 Daytona 500 on television.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Although it isn't as repulsive as the purple and yellow Corvette that paced Indy back in 1998, this Z06 pace car is pegging our tasteless meter. Thankfully, no replicas will be sold to the public. — Scott Oldham
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car
What's Special About It?
On February 19, a specially prepared 2006 Corvette Z06 will pace the 48th running of the Daytona 500, and Tonight Show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno will be behind the wheel. It is the second year in a row that a Corvette will pace NASCAR's premier race, which takes place in Daytona, Florida, and the second year in a row Leno will drive a Corvette pace car. Last year the comedian drove the Corvette that paced the Indianapolis 500.
Hollywood's most visible car guy was even on hand to unveil the Z06 pace car at the L.A. auto show today, treating the assembled media to 25 minutes of schtick with GM vice president Mark LaNeve.
Although mechanically identical to a production Z06, the Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 is outfitted with a variety of safety equipment, highly visible strobe lights and an outlandish multicolored paint scheme. GM says the design was inspired by the hot-to-cool color transition of a space capsule entering Earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed.
"As if the Corvette Z06 needed help in looking fast, the intricate paintwork of the pace car gives it the appearance of tremendous speed," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "It is one of the most elaborate and stunning vehicle designs we've created."
GM says nearly 11 million Americans will watch the 2006 Daytona 500 on television.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Although it isn't as repulsive as the purple and yellow Corvette that paced Indy back in 1998, this Z06 pace car is pegging our tasteless meter. Thankfully, no replicas will be sold to the public. — Scott Oldham
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