Chevrolet seeks to double up on Detroit’s Belle Isle

Chevrolet seeks to double up on Detroit’s Belle Isle

Chevrolet carries momentum from May sweep of races
Indy 500, INDYCAR GP winner Simon Pagenaud leads field
Team Chevy drivers are 1-2 in championship standings
Pagenaud, Josef Newgarden separated by one point
Chevrolet marks 125th race since 2012 return to competition
Bowtie brand has amassed 76 wins, 86 poles in span

DETROIT (May 29, 2019) – Following the drama and subsequent jubilation of Simon Pagenaud’s drive to Victory Circle in the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, Chevrolet continues on the demanding NTT IndyCar schedule to the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.

The twin 70-lap races on the 2.35-mile, 13-turn Belle Isle street circuit June 1 and 2, which will be telecast live at 3 p.m. ET both days by NBC, pose the opportunity for Team Chevy drivers to reap big points paydays.

Race 1 will mark Chevrolet’s 125th since returning to NTT IndyCar Series manufacturer competition in 2012.

The Bowtie brand has registered 76 wins and 86 poles in that span, including Pagenaud’s sweep of the May races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that vaulted him to the top of the championship standings.

Chevrolet has recorded three wins and three pole starts this season.

After a brief celebration, which included receiving a $2.6 million reward for his Indy 500 win, Pagenaud’s focus quickly turned to this weekend’s doubleheader.

The 2016 NTT IndyCar Series champion, who will drive the No. 22 DXC Technology Team Penske Chevrolet, aims to increase his one-point advantage over teammate Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet and distance himself from the rest of the field.

“I’ve got a lot of expectation,” said Pagenaud, who won at Belle Isle in 2013. “Certainly feel like we have everything going in the right direction right now with Team Penske and Chevy. The development is good. My motivation is the highest it’s ever been. I’m hungry. I want to win.”

Teammate Will Power, the 2018 Indy 500 winner who placed fifth in the 103rd edition, is a two-time winner at Belle Isle. He’ll drive the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

Nine drivers powered by Chevrolet’s 2.2-liter direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V6 engine are entered in the dual races run against the backdrop of Chevrolet’s world headquarters.

Ed Carpenter returns to the role of team owner after his run for the win at Indy. Spencer Pigot and Ed Jones will shoulder the on-track driving duties for Ed Carpenter Racing.

A Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, which is among the prizes awarded to Pagenaud for the Indy 500 victory, will pace both races.

“I get a Corvette, wine color, burgundy. It was meant to be, I guess. I’m looking forward to that,” Pagenaud added.

Spectators can get an up-close look at new Chevrolet production vehicles, including the 2020 Blazer RS, 2020 Silverado HD LTZ and Tahoe RST, on May 31-June 2 at the Chevrolet Racing Tour display at Belle Isle. Additionally, the Corvette Grand Sport and other vehicles and Chevrolet accessories will be on display.