Chevrolet has announced that the storied owner of the team with the most victories at the Indianapolis 500 will be pacing the field at the 100th running of the event this year piloting a specially-prepared 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition.

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car left front 3/4 view

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

The running of the 100th Indianapolis 500 marks the 27th time that a Chevrolet vehicle has paced the race (dating back to 1948) and the 9th time that the bowtie-brand's Camaro has served as the pace car.

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car top view at the start/finish line

This year, the driver sitting behind the wheel of the 2016 Indy 500 pace car will be none other than racing legend Roger Penske, who this year will pass the 50 year milepost as a race team owner.

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car left rear 7/8 view

"Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500 have a long, storied history and it's an honor to mark the respective milestones of the Indy 500 race and the Camaro simultaneously," said Mark Reuss, executive vice president of Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. "It's also a privilege to have Roger Penske perform the driving duties, as his team has helped Chevrolet earn four consecutive IndyCar manufacturer titles since 2012."

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car front fascia detail

2016 Indianapolis 500

Chevy hopes that year's race, which will be held on Sunday, May 29, 2016, will build on the momentum from last year's "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." That happened to be when the top four finishers were all Chevy-powered, not the least of which was race-winner and Team Penske driver Juan Pablo Montoya (his second Indy 500 victory as well as the 16th overall win for Team Penske).

Roger Penske with the 2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

Speaking of Team Penske, no other racing team has scored more wins in Indianapolis – a streak that began back in 1972 with driver Mark Donohue's victory that occurred just three years after Penske first campaign at the Brickyard in 1969. Drivers Rick Mears (4 wins), Bobby Unser (1 win), Danny Sullivan (1 win), Al Unser (1 win), Emerson Fittipaldi (1 win), Al Unser, Jr. (1 win), Helio Castroneves (3 wins), Gil de Ferran (1 win), Sam Hornish (1 win), Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya (last year's winner) have all contributed to Team Penske victories at Indianapolis.

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car showing door graphics

2017 Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition

For this year's race, Chevrolet will produce special 50th Anniversary Edition Camaros on 2LT and 2SS coupe and convertible models. All will feature Nightfall Gray Metallic exteriors with a 50th Anniversary stripe package and badges (convertibles get a black top). Additional content includes:

  • Specific 20-inch 50th Anniversary wheels
  • Unique grille with satin chrome accents
  • Body-color front splitter
  • Orange brake calipers (front only on LT)
  • Unique black leather interior with suede inserts and orange accent stitching
  • Distinct 50th Anniversary treatments on instrument panel, seatbacks, steering wheel and illuminated sill plates
  • 2LT includes RS Appearance Package
  • Camaro 2LT comes standard with a 2.0L Turbo engine rated at 275 hp, while a 335-hp 3.6L V-6 is available
  • Camaro 2SS features the LT1 6.2L V-8, generating 455 hp
  • Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car right front 3/4 view

Chevrolet also points out that while the specially prepared four identical Abalone White Camaro SS pace cars differ in exterior color, they share the Anniversary Edition package's stripes and other content.

2017 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car on the front straight of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway