Sarah Fisher, former IndyCar Series driver and team owner, who remains the fastest woman in Indianapolis 500 mile history, will drive the 2023 Corvette Z06, 70th Anniversary Edition, to lead the field to the flag green.
Sarah Fisher, originally from Ohio, took the start of the Indy 500 9 times between 2000 and 2010, a record for a female driver. Her fastest qualifying speed of 229.439 mph in 2002 also remains a record for a woman.
Saraf Fisher driving the Pace Car at the Indy 500
Fisher was also the first woman to win single-seater pole position, for the Kentucky Speedway race in 2002. She was also the first female driver to place in the top three in the IndyCar Series, coming third in 2000 at Kentucky. Speedway and second in 2001 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
After his racing career, Fisher owned a team, racing Josef Newgarden, for the first time in the IndyCar Series. Since ending her role as team owner, she has remained involved in the sport by serving as a support car driver at select NTT INDYCAR SERIES events.
« Every time I’ve had the opportunity to drive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it’s been special with INDYCAR Series cars to two-seaters to vintage cars, » said Sarah Fisher. “Driving the Pace Car is an equally special honor. And having served in this role for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since Johnny Rutherford retired, I have had many fond memories to add to my career.”
« I am humbled and proud to become the Official Pace Car Driver for the 106th Indy 500 and to represent the hard work and development that Chevrolet puts into these fantastic pieces of automotive progress and technology. »
The 2023 Corvette Z06 is powered by the all-new 5.5-liter LT6 that develops 680 hp, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever released in a production car. As a nod to the Corvette’s 70-year history, the Pace Car is a 2023 70th Anniversary Edition Z06, finished in a special White Pearl Tri-Coat Metallic paint.