Two-time Formula 1 and Indianapolis 500 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi has been selected as the pace car driver for the 2008 Indianapolis 500. The 1972 and 1974 F1 titlist and 1989 and 1993 winner of the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing,' will pilot a specially prepared Z06 Chevrolet Corvette running on E85 ethanol fuel to the green flag on Sunday, May 25, 2008.

There will actually be two different Corvette models employed in 2008. One of the pace cars will be a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept converted to run on E85 ethanol fuel with a corresponding green paint job, while the other pace cars will be black-and-silver commemorative editions to mark the 30th anniversary of Corvette's leading the field at Indy.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway selects the pace car every year based upon marketing and business strategies submitted by interested automobile manufacturers. 2008 will mark the 10th year that a Corvette will pace the field. Interestingly, Chevrolet no longer participates in the IndyCar Series as an engine manufacturer, with the entire field now powered by Honda.

Chevrolet will produce a total of 500 Pace Car replicas in both coupe and convertible form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette's Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant. Fittipaldi has significant interests in ethanol production in his native Brazil.

"Most of the vehicles in Brazil are powered by ethanol produced from crops grown in the country, so I understand how a domestically produced renewable fuel can help the energy solutions of a nation," Fittipaldi said. "And the E85-powered Z06 concept Pace Car proves economic and environmental consciousness can be fun and exhilarating. I can't wait to get it on the racetrack."

While no production Corvette's run on E85 ethanol, there are seven other Chevrolet vehicles that are classified as “flex fuel” and are able to run on either gasoline, E85 ethanol or a mixture of the fuels.

The connection of ethanol with the Corvette comes as little surprise as all of the Honda built IndyCar Series spec engines now run on 100% fuel grade ethanol. The ethanol industry has become a major supporter of the IndyCar Series, a platform they use to show the performance capabilities of what is rapidly becoming the United States alternative fuel of choice.

ORS / CAPSIS International