This Corvette Convertible is the 2021 Indy 500 pace car

Pub quizzes are on their way back, so it’s high time you arm yourself with some joyously pointless knowledge. Like the fact no single model has been Indy 500 pace car more times than the Chevrolet Corvette.

First off, if that’s genuinely useful trivia at your pub quiz, we’ll book a table for next Wednesday, please. Second, 2021’s Indy 500 (on Sunday 30 May) will see the ‘Vette’s 18th appearance in front of the pack, and its fifth consecutive Indy on pace duties.

And the ‘Vette in question? Why, it’s the C8 Stingray Convertible you see here, painted Arctic White and daubed in yellow detailing, most notably on its brake calipers and aerodynamic (and non-standard) side skirt winglets. There’s also a large fixed wing to ensure it doesn’t look overly meek leading a grid of racecars around Indianapolis.

The Stingray in question drives its rear wheels with a 495bhp 6.2-litre V8 (what else?) with suspension tweaks countering the extra weight of the Convertible’s folding metal roof.

Chevrolet has actually provided the Indy pace car for two entire decades, with a slew of Corvettes and Camaros (and a rogue Chevy SSR) filling the role every year since an ungainly and incongruous Oldsmobile Bravada SUV was on duty in the year 2000. And people say monopolies are a bad thing…