Keeping Pace with the Indy 500

NEW YORK, May 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A century ago, 40 drivers raced in front of a crowd of 80,000 and "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" was born.  The actual inception of the Indy 500 began a few years earlier with the partnership of Speedway founder Carl Fisher and then race car driver Louis Chevrolet and his brothers.

See video from Chevrolet at: Indy 500 Celebration

In honor of their shared history and mutual centennials, Chevrolet will once again pace the iconic race this weekend. Having paced more 500's than any other brand, the 2011 Camaro SS Convertible will pay tribute to one of the most iconic cars ever to pace Indy, the 1969 Camaro SS.

The Indy Pace Car tradition dates to the very first race in 1911, when Fisher led the starting laps with his personal car. Legendary racer A. J. Foyt, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first of his four Indy 500 wins, will lead the way this year.

For Chevrolet, the importance of racing goes beyond the track and into the show room.  The same engine technology used in today's Cruze and Equinox, will also be used in the turbo injected 2012 Chevy Indy racecars.

Registered journalists can access video, audio, text, graphics and photos at http://www.thenewsmarket.com.

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SOURCE Chevrolet