Indy 500 Fan Handed Keys To 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Replica
November 04, 2011 | By IMS Public Relations
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 – Andrew Walker of Brentwood, Tenn., was awarded the keys to a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Pace Car Replica by Indianapolis 500 driver and team owner Ed Carpenter Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Walker was awarded the Camaro after winning a sweepstakes designed to promote the sale of 2012 Indianapolis 500 tickets. The sweepstakes took place the two weeks immediately following the 2011 Indianapolis 500. The 2012 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The grand prize Camaro SS Convertible Pace Car is a mirror image of the car in which four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt paced the historic 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 to the green flag, with IMS Chairman of the board Mari Hulman George as his passenger.
The color combination of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible Pace Car is similar to the design used on the 1969 Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replicas – cars which have become among the most popular Camaros in the collector world.
The Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible is fitted with the 2SS equipment package and RS package, including a 400-horseposer V-8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The retail value of the car is approximately $53,432.
A lifelong Indianapolis 500 fan, Walker has attended every “500” since moving from California to Tennessee in 2004, and of all the races he’s witnessed in person, this year’s 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 is his most memorable.
“It was great,” Walker said. “When JR (Hildebrand) crashed, I actually thought he crossed the finish line first, so I thought he won in a broken car and a ball of fire. Then we realized that Dan (Wheldon) won and it was amazing. It was the most exciting race I’ve seen.”
Walker, who rarely takes the time to enter contests, is very happy he entered this one and excited he renewed his Indianapolis 500 tickets for 2012.
“I think it’s great and I’m so excited,” he said. “I have a big spot it in my garage when I get home with it on Saturday, and all my friends are excited to come over and take a look and go for a ride. So yeah, it’s going to be a fun weekend! And, I’m looking forward to the 2012 Indianapolis 500.”
The 2012 Indianapolis 500 will feature competition among engine manufacturers for the first time since 2005, as Chevrolet and Lotus are joining Honda as engine suppliers in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series. An all-new chassis also will race at Indianapolis for the first time since 2003, as the new Dallara Safety Cell is scheduled to be on track at the 2012 edition of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”