INDIANAPOLIS – Restaurateur, best-selling author and host of the Food Network’s hit show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Guy Fieri will drive the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Pace Car to lead the field of 33 drivers to start the 2012 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Fieri is an avid classic car collector. He owns a red 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible that is featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Among others, Fieri also has a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible, 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, 1967 Chevrolet C10 pickup, 2006 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 4×4, 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV.
"There are races and then there are races," Fieri said. "And without a doubt, the Indy 500 is the race that I’ve always wanted to attend. And now, to be driving the Corvette Pace Car … this is going to be unbelievable."
Fieri co-owns and operates seven restaurants in his native Northern California. Fieri also has demonstrated a deep commitment to working with children, and in 2011 officially launched CWK (Cooking with Kids), a program that encourages developing healthy eating habits to address the childhood obesity crisis, strengthen the family unit by sharing quality time in the kitchen and increase children’s self-esteem in a fun and positive way.
The Corvette ZR1 that Fieri will drive at Indianapolis is powered by a supercharged, 6.2-liter LS9 engine generating 638 horsepower, helping to create incredible performance. It’s the fastest production car ever offered by General Motors, with a top speed of 205 mph. A six-speed, close-ratio manual transmission and dual-disc clutch apply that power smoothly, while Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires mounted to 19-inch front and 20-inch wheels and specific suspension tuning provide more than 1g of cornering grip. The ZR1 also features advanced technology such as Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Launch Control system with Performance Track Management, a four-channel ABS system, Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brake rotors and an aluminum body structure with advanced structural composites, featuring carbon fiber.
In addition to Fieri’s appearance, Howie Mandel, judge on "America’s Got Talent," the top-rated summer reality competition series on NBC, will serve as honorary announcer for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 27.
On Race Day, Mandel will give the famous command, "All cars to the grid!" to start the countdown to the green flag. His signature humor will put a distinctive spin on a time-honored tradition executed for decades by the legendary "Voice of the Speedway," Tom Carnegie.
"I’m very honored to be chosen to call the cars to the grid at this year’s Indy 500 … for the 10th time, this being the first time I’ve actually gotten to do it on site," Mandel said. "The fans, teams and drivers will be waiting for me to give the command. It’ll be an experience of a lifetime that I’ll never forget."
