Chevrolet broke new ground at the 67th running of the Daytona 500, debuting the 2025 Blazer EV SS as the official pace car—the first electric vehicle ever to lead the field at NASCAR’s most prestigious race.
The historic moment marked a turning point for the motorsports world, highlighting the growing presence of electric vehicles in traditionally gas-powered arenas while underscoring Chevrolet’s blend of performance heritage and forward-thinking innovation.
The 2025 Blazer EV SS, far from being a typical SUV, is the most powerful SS model Chevrolet has produced to date. Equipped with the brand’s high-performance “Wide Open Watts” mode, the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. It delivers 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, putting it in competition with leading electric performance crossovers such as the Tesla Model Y Performance and Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.
Designed with both speed and stamina in mind, the Blazer EV SS features front Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned chassis, and a substantial 102 kWh battery that provides an EPA-estimated 303 miles of range—balancing track-ready performance with practical day-to-day use.
Inside the cabin, Chevrolet has incorporated a host of advanced technologies aimed at enhancing comfort, control, and safety. The interior features a 17.7-inch touchscreen with integrated Google services, an 11-inch driver information display, a premium Bose sound system, and ambient lighting. The vehicle also includes Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system, for select highway routes—offering a glimpse of what the future of long-distance driving may look like.
The Blazer EV SS is also distinguished by its exterior styling, which includes 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, a black contrast roof, and illuminated performance accents that reinforce its sporty character.
Chevrolet used the Daytona stage to further showcase its vision for electric performance. Alongside the pace car, the automaker unveiled the Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype—an all-electric concept vehicle developed with NASCAR and other industry partners to explore emerging racing technologies and push innovation on the track.
The Blazer EV SS wasn’t the only Chevrolet model leading the field over the weekend. The brand also paced the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the Corvette Stingray and led the Truck Series with the Silverado RST, giving fans a first-hand look at Chevrolet’s expanding EV and performance portfolio throughout Daytona International Speedway.
While Chevrolet’s participation in Daytona is well-established—having now paced the 500 seventeen times and boasting more victories at the track than any other manufacturer—the debut of the Blazer EV SS adds a new chapter to the brand’s storied motorsports legacy. In 2024, Chevrolet also swept all three of NASCAR’s Manufacturers’ Championships, reinforcing its leadership on and off the racetrack.
The introduction of the Blazer EV SS at the Daytona 500 not only symbolizes a shift in NASCAR’s relationship with electric technology but also illustrates Chevrolet’s commitment to redefining high-performance for the EV era. As the all-electric SUV led the starting pack, it served as a powerful reminder: the road to the future is not only electric—it’s fast.
