The focus this week will be on the season-opening Daytona 500, but Chevrolet will draw some extra attention on Thursday. The manufacturer will reveal a prototype race car at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
According to a media invite, Chevrolet will hold a special ceremony on Thursday to show off the Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype race car. This vehicle is the result of a collaboration between NASCAR and the three OEM partners.
As Chevrolet explained, the purpose of the EV prototype race car is to explore emerging technologies. The V8 engine will continue to drive the Cup Series cars for Hendrick Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, and other Chevrolet teams.
Several people will be at Daytona to discuss the process of creating this prototype race car. The list includes Chevrolet Global Design Director Phil Zak, GM Executive Director of Global Motorsports Competition Dr. Eric Warren, and Chevrolet Director of Motorsports Marketing & Activation Todd Christensen.
Justin Allgaier, the reigning Xfinity Series champion, will also take part in the unveiling. Allgaier is the test driver for the Blazer EV.R NASCAR Protoype.
"Our Chevrolet V8 engines continue to be an important part of NASCAR. Racing has always been an important platform for Chevrolet to test, learn, and explore new technologies," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of GM Performance & Motorsports.
The unveiling of the new race car takes place the same week that Chevrolet debuts a new pace vehicle. The auto manufacturer will bring the Blazer EV SS to the 2.5-mile superspeedway and use it to lead the field to the green flag during the Daytona 500.
The Blazer EV SS is the quickest SS ever produced by Chevrolet. It can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds while delivering 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Bowtie is not the only company with a new prototype race car. Ford Performance also unveiled its version of the EV race car during a season-launch celebration in Charlotte, North Carolina. Like Chevrolet, Ford confirmed that this vehicle is for testing only. It is not a replacement for the Cup Series cars.