Daytona 500 Pace Car UPDATE: Pontiac continues its tradition as the supplier of the Daytona 500 Pace Car in 2001 with a specially modified Aztek. Seeking something new, fun and exciting to usher the competitors around the track, the Daytona International Speedway selected Aztek to pace the Feb. 18 race. The Aztek Pace Car has a 340-horsepower engine with a supercharger and intercooling(Pontiac Insider, Marketing Udate)(1-14-2001) UPDATE: DIS announced today that the Pontiac Aztek will serve as the official pace car for the Great American Race. This will be the 34th year that Pontiac has paced the Daytona 500, the worlds most prestigious race, Daytona International Speedway President John Graham said. The version of the Aztek that will pace the field of the most watched motorsports event in the world has been enhanced in a number of areas to better its performance as a pace vehicle. It features a Magnuson supercharged powertrain by Vrbancic Brothers with headers done by Doug Thorley and Mike Cook. The supercharged engine, which has enlarged exhaust valves and Manley rods and pistons, will turn out 330 horsepower – an increase of 145 horsepower over its 3.4-liter V6 showroom counterpart. Additional ride and handling enhancements include stiffer bushings, springs and shocks, and the vehicle has also been lowered(DIS PR).(1-17-2001)
