S7E32: Behind the Scenes with two of Chevrolet’s Indy 500 Heroes
About this episode
Judith Dominic’s Indy 500 connection kicks things off, tracing her Chevrolet path from the Chevy NASCAR program and years with Tony Stewart. The conversation shifts to what makes IndyCar drivers specialists, why qualifying speeds climb so high, and how downforce and even slick tires shape performance—especially in rain. Hosts then zoom out to driver development, elite driver counts, and Chevrolet’s Indy 500 base car details: Corvette-based pace-car history, livery inspiration, and the twin-turbo V8 with an electrified front axle.
In this episode from the 110th running of the Indy 500, we go behind the scenes with two of Chevrolet’s most passionate and knowledgeable professionals: Judith Dominick, Chevrolet Racing Trackside Communications Representative, and Cody Bulkley, Chevrolet Corvette Chassis Development Engineer. These are the people who make the magic happen — both on the racetrack and on the road.
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Corvette
"But Chris and Nettie is going to be actually driving the Corvette... And then Sarah Fisher actually gets the driver... But Nando Mendoza. Right. The Corvette."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car made by Chevy. It’s the kind of car people associate with track days and fast driving. Here, they’re saying someone drove a Corvette and they even did laps in it.
The Chevrolet Corvette is the brand’s long-running performance sports car, known for its mid-engine layout in recent generations and for being a benchmark for American track capability. In this segment, they’re talking about a Corvette being driven by a celebrity/driver figure and doing laps as part of the event.
regular e-ray
"And we did a little lap on the regular e-ray, right? Yes. And that was also amazing."
“E-Ray” is the name for a hybrid version of the Corvette that uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. The electric motor can help the car accelerate smoothly and quickly. They’re saying they did a lap in that hybrid Corvette.
“E-Ray” refers to the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, a hybrid Corvette that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor for extra traction and instant torque. Calling it the “regular e-ray” implies they were comparing it to another E-Ray variant or configuration during the event.
e-ray
"Yeah, in the e-ray, you know, we all worked on that car as well. And that one's really special and just the fact that it was our first all-wheel drive."
The “e-ray” is a special Corvette that uses both gas power and electric power. It can drive all four wheels, which is unusual for a Corvette.
“e-ray” refers to the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, a Corvette variant that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. The key point they’re making is that it’s the Corvette’s first all-wheel-drive setup, using the electric motor to drive the front wheels.
all-wheel drive
"And that one's really special and just the fact that it was our first all-wheel drive. Yeah."
All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four tires. That usually helps the car grip the road better when you accelerate or when the surface isn’t great.
All-wheel drive (AWD) means power can be sent to all four wheels instead of just the front or just the rear. On performance cars like the Corvette E-Ray, AWD can improve traction and stability, especially when accelerating or on low-grip surfaces.
IMS
"Yeah, it really is such a cool way to cement into Corvette, Chevrolet, and IMS, the United States history. All of us are showing up on it."
IMS stands for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the famous oval track in Indiana that hosts the Indy 500. The hosts connect the car program to U.S. motorsports history by tying it to IMS.
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