Images: GM

With spring finally sprung, we can all look forward to another eventful race and show season. Among those enthused about the prospects of new adventures is three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti. Why you may ask? Well, GM just announced that Franchitti will pilot the exclusive 2014 Camaro Z/28 pace car for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 race this May. Not a bad gig for one of IndyCar’s greatest!

Dario Franchitti is one of just a handful of drivers that can claim to have won the Indianapolis 500 three times. For Franchitti, his appearances atop the Indy podium came in 2007, 2010 and 2012. Now semi-retired, Franchitti is transitioning into a driver development role for Chevy-backed Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2014 season.

“Dario is a true champion who has earned the respect of competitors and race fans alike,” Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports said in a recent press release. “It will be very special to have Dario lead the field to the green flag in the Camaro Z/28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

Powering Franchitti around for his pacing duties will be an all-new black 2014 Camaro Z/28, decked out in Indianapolis pace car livery. This year will mark the eighth time that a Camaro has passed the famed Indy race, stretching back to the very first Camaro pace car in 1967. It also marks the 25th year that a Chevrolet has paced the race.

Chevrolet has been an integral part of the IndyCar series for many years, powering teams from 1986 to 1993, 2002 to 2005 and finally 2012 to the present.

With the new Chevrolet IndyCar twin-turbo V6 engine, racer Tony Kanaan took his long awaited place on the top of the Indy podium last year, winning the 2013 race. Not only did this mark an ultimate goal met by Kanaan, it also helped lead Chevrolet to seven out of 10 top finishes.

Chevy has won the IndyCar manufacturer championship title for the last two years.

The 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday May 25th with Franchitti and the 2014 Z/28 leading the way. Be sure to tune in as some of your favorite IndyCar drivers attempt to make history for themselves and Chevy once again!

In the meantime, check out the B-roll video of Franchitti getting acquainted with his pace car ride below, including all the sights and sounds of the new Z/28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.