Chevy Silverado to Pace Daytona 500

A 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will serve as the pace vehicle for next year’s Daytona 500 race.

This will be the first time a pickup has been used to pace the annual race in its 61-year history. A dozen Chevy cars have held the honor in the past: seven Camaros and five Corvettes.

NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500 is scheduled for Feb. 18. Earnhardt, Jr., who retired at the end of the 2017 season, won the race twice during his career.

The Silverado pace truck will be powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 that produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission.