DETROIT — Chevrolet unveiled the all-new Camaro ZL1 as the team’s race car for the 2018 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series season. The announcement was made in front of the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit on Thursday afternoon.
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson drove the new 2018 Camaro ZL1 down Jefferson Avenue and parked it on the half-moon driveway of the RenCen. A few hundred people–made up of news media and General Motors employees–were on hand to see it live.
“It’s a monster, I love it,” Johnson said about the street version of the ZL1. “I’ve so enjoyed loving driving the car. The torque, the power, the handling, is very fun to drive on the street. I know that consumers are going to love that. I’ve never raced a Camaro so I’m excited to get on a race track and be in a Camaro next year. It looks amazing. I know it’s going to perform very, very well.”
The Camaro ZL1 replaces the Chevrolet SS which has been used since 2013.
“What you see today is a glimpse into the future,” said Mark Reuss, GM’s Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “What we’re looking at today in the pace car is a 640-horsepower version of this, a highly-developed track car that you can drive everyday. We spent a lot of time on the suspension, obviously, the cooling piece of it.”
Team Chevy had all of its drivers and team owners on hand for the invite-only event. It was held just a few days prior to the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
“Our bond, our relationship has never been stronger,” said Mike Helton, vice chairman of NASCAR. “To Jim, Mark, thank you for believing in NASCAR. The collaboration that got us to the Gen 6, this Camaro will be in the Monster Energy series next year. We thank you for the opportunity to be a part of today’s announcement.”
Look for the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race car to debut at the Daytona 500 in February.
