Earlier this month we learned the 2014 Corvette Stingray would be pacing the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 and now we know who will be driving the Laguna Blue Stingray. Jim Harbaugh, coach of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers has been named the official pace car driver and will lead the 33 Indy Cars and their drivers to the Green Flag this Sunday afternoon.

Harbaugh is no stranger to Indianapolis or IndyCar racing. He served as the Indianapolis Colts Quarterback from 1994-97, winning a pro bowl berth in 1995. He also is a principal at Panther Racing which is fielding a two-car team with drivers J.R. Hildebrand and Townsend Bell. Hildebrand will drive the No. 4 National Guard Chevrolet and Bell will be in the No. 60 Sunoco ?Turbo? Chevrolet.

?As a longtime racing fan and someone who has always followed the Indianapolis 500, the honor to drive the pace car comes as a tremendous thrill,? said Harbaugh. ?Doing it in the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray makes it even better. It’s an iconic car leading an iconic race.?

This will be a record 12th time the Corvette has been named the official Pace Car since its first start in 1978. The new 2014 Corvette Stingray will have no problems leading the IndyCar and its only modifications are the safety equipment and stobe lights, as well as the special Indy 500 decals.

?It’s great to have a true racing fan like Jim Harbaugh drive the Corvette pace car,? said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. ?He personifies the Indianapolis 500’s spirit of competition – and he’s a true athlete, just like the all-new Corvette Stingray.?

The 2014 Corvette Stingray will start production soon with the first models shipping to dealers later this summer. The Convertible model will follow and will be available at the end of the year. Pricing for the 2014 Corvette Stingray starts at $51,995 for the Coupe and $56,995 for the Convertible model.

The 97th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) Sunday, May 26. The race will be televised on ABC.

Source:
General Motors
Photo Credit: BeyondtheScore.wordpress.com

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