Actor Josh Duhamel to drive Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car
Duhamel has starred in motion pictures and television since his breakthrough role as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime drama "All My Children" from 1999-2002. He is set to reprise his role as U.S. Army Major Lennox in Michael Bay's upcoming action spectacular "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Steven Spielberg is an executive producer on the film, which is set for nationwide release June 24. The film also stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro.
"The Indy 500 is a legendary race, and it's a great honor to be driving the Camaro Pace Car in it," said Duhamel.
Duhamel began acting in 1998 after an award-winning career as a model. He was nominated three times for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on "All My Children," winning in 2002.
In 2003, Duhamel began his role as Danny McCoy in the NBC prime-time drama, "Las Vegas." He continued in that role until the series ended in 2008.
Duhamel made his movie lead debut in 2004 in "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!" and also starred in the 2006 thriller, "Turistas." Bay and Spielberg selected Duhamel to play Lennox in the 2007 summer blockbuster "Transformers."
North Dakota native Duhamel, 36, is married to Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and actress Fergie.
"We're happy to welcome Josh Duhamel as Pace Car driver for the Indianapolis 500," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "As a star in one of Hollywood's expected blockbusters this summer, it's only fitting that he will lead the field to the start of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' on Memorial Day weekend."
Duhamel is familiar with the power and styling of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, as the car appears in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
Powered by the 6.2-liter LS3 all-aluminum Chevy V-8, the all-new 2010 Camaro produces 426 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. It features a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and 3.45 axle ratio.
No drivetrain or suspension modifications are required to prepare the Camaro for its Pace Car duties. The only modifications to the vehicle include a fully integrated strobe system, including a GM-designed custom light bar utilizing Whelen 500 series linear strobes.
2009 marks the fifth time the Chevrolet Camaro has been selected to pace the Indianapolis 500 (1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2009). It will be the 44th time a General Motors vehicle has paced "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," with 20 by a Chevrolet.