Welcome to "NCM Central", the electronic news report from the National Corvette Museum. Here you will find news on NCM events and happenings, Corvette Store specials, GM Corvette Assembly Plant updates, Corvette Racing reports and more.


Earnhardt, Jr. and Said to Race Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

The Corvette Racing team today announced the addition of drivers Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Boris Said for Round Four of the American Le Mans Series at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California on July 18th. The #8 Corvette C5-R will run as a third car in the event to further the team’s overall strategy to capture a fourth straight ALMS championship in 2004. “It will be great to have Dale Jr. back into the Chevrolet Corvette C5-R and Boris will be an excellent partner for him,” said Gary Claudio, marketing manager for GM Racing. The three-car squad for the race in Sonoma will reunite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with the Corvette Racing team, a bond that began at the 2001 running of the 24 Hours of Daytona, where Earnhardt, Jr. and his father, the late Dale Earnhardt, finished fourth overall in their first sports car race. “I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the Corvette C5-R because it is such a great race car,” said Earnhardt, Jr. “I’m happy that Chevy has given me the chance to crossover and take part in its sports car program, which has been a huge success. For more information on the Corvette Race Team and the 2004 race schedule visit: http://www.corvetteracing.com


Actor Morgan Freeman to Drive Corvette Pace Car at Indy 500

Academy Award-nominated actor Morgan Freeman will drive the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Pace Car to lead the field to the start of the 88th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race on Sunday, May 30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Freeman will pace the starting field of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” to a green-flag start at 11 a.m. (EST). The race will be broadcast live by ABC Sports and the IMS Radio Network. “We’re thrilled that Morgan Freeman is driving the Pace Car for the 88th Indianapolis 500,” said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “He is an ideal person for the role since the theme of the event is ‘Lights, Camera, Traction!’ This theme highlights the connection between the excitement and stars of the Indy 500 and the glamour and stars of motion pictures, and Morgan is one of the most popular and respected modern film stars.“And the fact that he’ll be behind the wheel of a Corvette, an American automotive icon from Chevrolet, is even more exciting.” Freeman has received numerous awards for his performances in films, television and the theater, including Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for “The Shawshank Redemption” in 1995 and “Driving Miss Daisy” in 1990, and a Best Supporting Actor nomination for “Street Smart” in 1988. For information, log on to http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com


Download “Free” Calendar Wallpaper of the 2004 Pace Car

Beautiful calendar wallpaper is available of the 2004 Corvette Pace Car showcasing the “Americana” theme! Download it here in three screen resolutions: http://www.corvettemuseum.com/pictures/wallpaper-17.shtml

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Submitted by Bobbie Jo Lee, National Corvette Museum Communications, who can be reached at bobbiejo@corvettemuseum.com, or visited on the web at http://www.corvettemuseum.com