Andretti visits Corvette plant, buys car

With the U.S. auto industry in turmoil, auto workers in this western Kentucky city got a boost this week from racing legend Mario Andretti. Andretti, 68, on Thursday visited with workers and got a tour of the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly plant where his new Corvette ZR1 was manufactured last month.

"This is a special day. These don't happen too often anymore," said Mark Clark of Bowling Green, who works in the salvage department.

The winner of the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and the 1967 Daytona 500 purchased the 500th ZR1 to come off the assembly line at the plant, according to The Daily News of Bowling Green.

The high-performance line of cars, with a top speed of 205 mph, represents the fastest Corvette.

"I'm going to drive the hell out of it, enjoy it," Andretti said while he signed memorabilia for plant employees. "I've been following Corvettes for many years and this is the best ever."