Mercedes-AMG has been providing safety cars for Formula One for the last 25 years. This year, the Mercedes-AMG GT R safety car was given a new look to support the FIA's racial diversity campaign. In the annual US Indianapolis 500 race, Chevrolet cars are traditionally used as pace cars, including the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette Z6, and Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

For the 2020 Indy 500, a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will serve as the official pace car, which should help Chevy promote the mid-engine sports car to a large audience when the race is televised on NBC. Last year's race was watched by over five million fans.

Finished in Torch Red, the 2020 Corvette Stingray pace car will make its debut at the 104th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, August 23. This will be the first time the event has been hosted outside of May. Behind the wheel of this special Corvette Stingray will be GM President Mark Reuss.

"It's truly an honor to have the opportunity to be behind the wheel of the mid-engine Corvette Pace Car at such a historic race as the Indy 500," said Reuss. "The 2020 Corvette Stingray is the result of a close collaboration between the Corvette Racing and production engineering teams, setting a new benchmark for supercars around the world."

Like the regular Chevrolet Corvette C8 road car, the pace car will be powered by a 6.2-liter V8. With the Z51 package installed, this unit will generate 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, which will be sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This enables the C8 Corvette to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds and max out at 194 mph. In addition, the Corvette pace car will be equipped with the accessory spoiler and ground effects package, as well as the carbon flash exterior accents and badge package and a unique Indy 500 livery. GT2 bucket seats are fitted inside.

This will be the 17th time a Corvette has served as the official Indy 500 pace car since 1978 and the 31st time Chevrolet has supplied a pace car dating back to 1948.