Chevrolet confirms the 2014 Corvette Stingray as the official pace of the 97th Indy 50 race on May 26, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first time a Corvette was selected for this duty was back in 1978, and since then it has done it 11 times.

The Corvette pace car is virtually the same as the standard road-going version apart from a few safety features mandatory for track driving  and strobe lights. Visually, it is finished in Laguna Blue Tintcoat with official Indianapolis 500 graphics on the doors.

No performance upgrades have been made to the car’s 6.2 liter LT1 V8 engine. It will pace the race in its standard 450 hp, 450 lb-ft form. the only difference between this and the base Corvette Stingray is that pace car comes with the Z51 package.

This track-focused package adds an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package for better high speed stability. This kit is available for the 2014 Stingray as an optional extra.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall starting from $52,000.