Gallery: GM's Going Back to Indy
GM01Chevrolet Will Compete in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series
The Izod IndyCar series has been pretty much a spec series lately, with Honda providing engines for the past four years. That changes in 2012, when General Motors will start providing 2.4-liter V6 engines to the racing series. GM has developed a twin-turbocharged direct-injection engine specifically for IndyCar that will, like Honda's engine, run on E85. Not to be outdone, Honda Racing Development will have a new twin-turbo V6 on the grid in 2012 as well. "We are excited to have engine manufacturer competition again in the Izod IndyCar Series," said IndyCar boss Randy Bernard. "Chevrolet brings a strong passion for racing, technology, relevance and innovation, which is a great fit for our new car platform." __Above__: Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of global product operations, announces the company's return to IndyCar. *Photo: Steve Fecht / General Motors*
02general-motors-indycar-02
General Motors developed the Chevrolet engine with Ilmor Engineering. Chevrolet is no stranger to IndyCar, having provided V8 engines from 1986 until 1993 and from 2002 until 2005. In that time they racked up 104 wins, six drivers' championships and seven Indianapolis 500 victories. "Re-entering IndyCar racing will help us take our advanced engine technology to the upper bounds of what’s possible," said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of global product ops. "And it will also provide a dynamic training ground for engineers, who’ll transfer the technologies we develop for racing to the products we sell to our customers. The GM engine will use an aluminum block and heads and it will serve as a stressed chassis member supporting the gearbox and rear suspension. No word on the tech or performance specs, which GM said "will be released at a later date." Team Penske is the first team to sign up for the engines. __Above__: The 2010 Indianapolis 500 pace car Camaro alongside Al Unser's 1986 Indy 500 car. *Photo: David Incandela / IndyCar*
03honda-indycar-kentucky
Honda's been the sole supplier of engines to IndyCar since 2006, and it welcomed General Motors back to racing. The company has long called for more manufacturers in the sport because, frankly, it's tough to build your brand when you're the only game in town. "Although we are certainly proud of Honda Performance Development’s numerous accomplishments during our tenure as single engine supplier to the Series, we have repeatedly and unequivocally expressed our desire for engine competition within the Series," Erik Berkman, HPD president, said. “We look forward to renewing our relationship with Chevrolet as competitors on the race track and giving the fans of open-wheel racing a spirited and challenging rivalry.” The 2012 platform allows manufacturers to produce engines with no more than six cylinders and displacement of no more than 2.4 liters. They'll be good for 550 to 700 horsepower and they'll run on E85. __Above:__ Honda has been the sole engine supplier since 2006. Here, Justin Wilson and Graham Rahal go at it during the Kentucky Indy 300. *Photo: Dana Garrett / IndyCar*
041987-Mario-Andretti-pole-position
IndyCar provided some photos of GM-powered cars that have raced at Indy. This is Mario Andretti after winning pole position in the 1987 Indianapolis 500. The race didn't go as well. Although he led for 170 of the first 177 laps, mechanical problems late in the race brought him to a halt on lap 192. He finished in ninth place. *Photo: IndyCar*
051987-front-row-indy
The front row at Indy in 1987. From left: Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal and Mario Andretti. They all did poorly. Andretti finished in ninth, Mears in 23rd and Rahal in 26th. *Photo: IndyCar*
061988-Rick-Mears-victory
Rick Mears celebrating his victory in the 1988 Indianapolis 500. Mears led from pole, and Roger Penske's team dominated the race by taking the front row in qualifying and leading for 192 laps. Yes, he's drinking milk to celebrate. It's tradition. *Photo: IndyCar*
071988-Danny-Sullivan
Danny Sullivan, 1988 Indy 500. He started second on the grid between teammates Rick Mears and Al Unser. The race didn't go so well. Although he dominated the first half of the race, he hit the wall on lap 102 and finished 23rd. *Photo: IndyCar*
081990-arie-luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk qualified third for the 1990 Indianapolis 500 with a top speed of 223.305 mph. The end of the race came down to Luyendyk and Bobby Rahal, with Luyendyk gaining a little more during each of the last 20 laps. He took the checkered flag to win his first Indy with an average speed of 185.981 mph. *Photo: IndyCar*
091992-al-unser-jr
The 1992 Indianapolis 500 was one hell of a race for Al Unser Jr. He started 12th and clawed his way through the field. He passed Scott Goodyear on the 188th lap, but race leader Michael Andretti held a comfortable lead -- until his fuel pump failed. Andretti coasted to a stop after leading the race for 162 laps. Unser Jr. took the checkered flag. *Photo: IndyCar*
102002 helio castroneves
Helio Castroneves winning the 2002 Indianapolis 500 after qualifying 13th. He finished with one gallon of fuel left in the tank. *Photo: IndyCar* __See Also:__ - [Behind the Scenes at IndyCar](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2010/09/behind-the-scenes-at-indycar/) - [New Circuit Unveiled for U.S. Grand Prix](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2010/09/new-circuit-unveiled-for-u-s-grand-prix/) - [Why Texas Makes Perfect Sense for F1](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/why-texas-makes-perfect-sense-for-f1/) - [McLaren Cribs From Planes, Flutes to Build Faster F1 Cars ...](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/mclaren-rear-wing/) - [Mario Kart Power-Ups Come to Indycar Racing](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2009/08/push-to-pass/)
