The 2012 Indianapolis 500 is just around the corner and while many of us are anxiously waiting to get a glimpse of the ‘13 ZR1 as it takes the field to pace the race, two Indy Car greats have already had a bit of fun with the official Corvette pace car. Check out the video of the ZR1 on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) with Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves above.

Just a couple of weeks ago we announced that the 2013 Corvette ZR1 had been named the official pace car for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500. Packing 638 horsepower, this Corvette is the fastest production Chevrolet ever made and will be the most potent production pace car to hit the track at Indy. With master chef and car guru Guy Fieri named the official pace car driver, the start of the Indy 500 should be a sight to see come Sunday.

While we’re all gearing up to see the Corvette in action, the official pace car has already been put through the wringer by record-breaking Indianapolis 500 driver, Ryan Briscoe.  During qualifying, Brisco produced the fastest four-lap average in the field at 226.484 MPH (obviously in his actual race car, not the ZR1), qualifying just a split second faster than James Hinchcliffe. By doing so, Briscoe, who returned to the Penske Race Team this year, joining three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and Will Power, sits on the pole for Sunday’s race.

In full racing attire, Brisco took the Corvette out for a few laps at IMS the other day. Although the Corvette is definitely not an IndyCar, it seemed right at home on the high-bank turns and straight-aways as Brisco unleashed its mighty power.

Castroneves was also on hand, preparing for his Indy 500 start in his Chevrolet-powered Penske race car. Moving from Honda to Chevrolet engines this year, the Penske team will be fully backed by the American automaker, bringing even more meaning to the team’s ZR1 pace car testing.

Castroneves and Briscoe will join 31 other racers on Sunday May 27th for the Indianapolis 500. The race will start at Noon ET, so be sure to tune into ABC to catch the Corvette ZR1 pace car and the Chevy-backed Penske team take the field.