Legendary team owner Roger Penske will pace the field at the start of the 100th Indianapolis 500 in May as the honorary pace car driver.
The 79-year-old will drive a unique version of the 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition, with his team coincidentally competing in its 50th season of IndyCar racing this year.
Since 1972 Penske Racing has won a record 16 Indianapolis 500s, with iconic names such as Rick Mears, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Emerson Fittipaldi and Juan Pablo Montoya winning the legendary race for the team.
"Chevrolet and Roger Penske are inextricably linked to the heritage of the Indianapolis 500," said J. Douglas Boles, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"When he leads the pack on May 29, behind the wheel of the Camaro SS, he will drive the race into its next 100 years and strengthen the bond Chevrolet and Indianapolis forged a century ago.”
Four identically prepared Camaro SS pace cars will support the 100th running of the event, with each car set to feature exclusive abalone white exteriors with “100th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil” graphics on the door, along with the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo on the quarter panels.
Penske racer and championship leader Simon Pagenaud won the team’s 179th race last time out at Long Beach, with three Penske drivers currently sat in the top four of the drivers’ championship.
