Pictures: 2019 Camaro Pace Car Homecoming at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

[SMKZ28]

Here are the pictures that I took of the 1st generation Camaro Indy Pace Cars that were a part of the 2019 Camaro Pace Car Homecoming held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Saturday, May 18, 2019.  This event was held during the weekend of qualifying for the 2019 Indianapolis 500. 

https://indyracingmuseum.org/ims-museum-sponsoring-chevrolet-camaro-pace-car-homecoming-may-17-19-event-honors-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-beloved-1969-camaro/?fbclid=IwAR1A_VxtR0vm_F6qcMZR87JB4OQywBSJMe-rmBo-8iohkNi7m99NlajlLu0

These first 4 photos are of the actual pace car from 1967.  They placed the Camaros that actually paced their respective Indy 500's in a row with the museum as the backdrop.

[SMKZ28]

Here are the two 1969 Camaros used as pace cars.

[SMKZ28]

card

[SMKZ28]

1967's

[SMKZ28]

more 1967's

[SMKZ28]

1969's

[SMKZ28]

more 1969's, including a Z10 coupe

[SMKZ28]

even more

[uscrichter]

Thanks for sharing that event, very cool!

[169INDY]

Thank you for those pics.

Bucket list item for me someday

169INDY (JIM)

[crossboss]

+3, thanks for sharing!

[MO]

Nicely done Scott!

[Jon Mello]

The '67 Pace car information board says three pace cars were ordered but it is thought only two were built. A friend of mine owns the L78 engine from the third pacer and the partial VIN on the block is in between the two other pacers. I guess that actually makes it the second of the three and the actual pacer for the race is the third one built going by the VIN. The NCRS report for all three VINs comes back identical, all three going to the Indianapolis zone.

[ZLP955]

That must've been very special, to see and walk around all those cars. Thanks very much for sharing the images.

[SMKZ28]

The '67 Pace car information board says three pace cars were ordered but it is thought only two were built. A friend of mine owns the L78 engine from the third pacer and the partial VIN on the block is in between the two other pacers. I guess that actually makes it the second of the three and the actual pacer for the race is the third one built going by the VIN. The NCRS report for all three VINs comes back identical, all three going to the Indianapolis zone.

That is very interesting Jon.  How did he acquire that engine and does he/you know the whereabouts of the car the engine came from?

[maroman]

Were the dealer pacers the same as the ones used at the track, same options,, etc.?

[Jon Mello]

It came from somebody back in Ohio who seemed to be an avid buyer and seller of Chevy engines and related parts.  No idea where the car might be.

[KevinW]

I wonder what it feels like to go to a car show and EVERY car is like yours   Great pics, thanks! 

[crossboss]

Yep, more eye candy, and hopefully some cars for the bucket list!

[z28z11]

Were the dealer pacers the same as the ones used at the track, same options,, etc.?

I can't speak about the '67 Replicas, but the '69 Festival and Replica cars could be optioned the same, with the exception of the actual track (pace) cars, which as noted were specially blueprinted 396 cars, with TH400 transmissions. All suspension and drivetrain components were inspected and qualified as part of that preparation process.

The part about the decals being delivered with the cars extended up at least to the '93's - a friend of mine purchased one, boxes in the trunk contained the graphics.

I really wish I could have either taken mine, or at least attended - I spent somewhere over 15 years searching for the right candidate, now 25 years of ownership. Some people think the color scheme is garish, I firmly believe it's just right for the car then and now.

Regards,
Steve 

[Pacecar]

Thanks for the photos. I used a couple of your Canadian Pace car photos from Mount Tremblant in my display book. My car and the one next to me were two Canadian Pace Cars. Both with the rare shoulder harnesses.

[SMKZ28]

Thanks for the photos. I used a couple of your Canadian Pace car photos from Mount Tremblant in my display book. My car and the one next to me were two Canadian Pace Cars. Both with the rare shoulder harnesses.

That's cool. I wish I could have spent more time looking at the Camaros and their displays.

[SMKZ28]

I just noticed on the pre-race NBCSN coverage that there are 4 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Cars parked on the exit of pit lane near turn two.

[SMS]

I just noticed on the pre-race NBCSN coverage that there are 4 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Cars parked on the exit of pit lane near turn two.

Funny story.  One of those on track cars had just that weekend been purchased.  The new owner (who I met after the race) was preparing for the parade lap in his "new" car.  The vintage race car that Mario Andretti was set to drive in that ceremony developed a fluid leak, so the officials asked the new owner if Mario could ride in the back of his pace car!   Then hammering it between turn 1 and 2 Mario was yelling at the driver to slow down!

What a cool way to break in your new car.