A beastly pace car and a new trophy for the streets of Detroit
The streets of downtown Detroit are getting a serious injection of power and prestige this weekend. General Motors has unveiled a stunning new trophy for the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic, drawing direct inspiration from the iconic Spirit of Detroit monument and the company’s new headquarters at Hudson’s Detroit. It is a beautiful nod to the city’s industrial roots, crafted by GM’s Industrial Design team and trophy maker Mike Husar for the podium finishers.
But the real star of the show might be the machine leading the pack. The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will serve as the official pace car, and the numbers are absolutely insane. We are talking about 1,250 horsepower from a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a front-axle electric motor. With a zero-to-60 time under two seconds and a top speed nearing 233 mph, this electrified beast is the most powerful production Corvette ever built.
It is all part of a massive showcase for the brand, which also includes the Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports team fielding two Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs. As Jim Campbell, GM’s Vice President of Performance and Motorsports Commercial Operations, pointed out, the goal is to keep that link between the track and the showroom floor as clear as possible. Whether it is the visual design or that unmistakable flat-plane V8 sound, the commitment to racing what they sell is clear.
