2009 Chevy Camaro SS 51st Daytona 500 Pace Car review and pictures

Chevy Camaro SS 51st Daytona 500 Pace Car review:

Daytona International Speedway officials announced the return of the Chevy Camaro as the Official Pace Car of the 51st running of the Daytona 500--the first Camaro to pace the field since 1969.

"Chevy has been a great partner of the Daytona 500 for more than 30 years, and the Camaro is an automotive icon,`" said Speedway President Robin Braig. "This 2010 model will set the tone for a 21st century sports car, and that`s a perfect fit to lead the pack at the `Great American Race."

The 426-horsepower vehicle, powered by the 6.2-liter all-aluminum Chevy V-8, carries a PPG Cyber Grey paint scheme with a bold accent design befitting "The World Center of Racing." A Camaro has paced the field just twice in Dayton 500 history, in 1968 and `69, and this 2010 model is scheduled to hit showroom floors this spring.

Built on GM`s new global rear-wheel drive architecture, the Camaro also will be offered in V-6-powered LS and LT models. Additional specs of the 2010 model pace car include:

* All-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8

* 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque

* Fully integrated strobe system, including a GM-designed custom light bar utilizing Whelen 500 series linear strobes

* 27-mpg estimated highway fuel economy

* Fuel-saving Tremec 6-speed manual transmission

* Top speed of xxx mph on the test track