2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick made an unannounced appearance at the opening day of the Central Florida International Auto Show Thursday to help debut the official pace car for the 2008 Daytona 500 -- a Chevrolet Corvette Z06, with a special gold paint job. That's appropriate, as this will be the 50th running of the most important stock car race of the season.


It is the fifth consecutive year that Chevrolet has chosen the Corvette to pace the Daytona race. The 505-horsepower Z06’s special “anniversary gold” appearance is accented by hues of gold, red, blue and white. The graphics scheme is accented with unique, gold iridescent-coated wheels.

Chevrolet will help celebrate the 50th running of the Daytona 500 by providing 50 race fans, selected from all 50 states, a weekend experience at the Daytona 500, on Feb. 17, 2008. Ten of those fans will also win a 2008 Chevy Impala. Now, through Dec. 3, fans can visit Chevy.com/Daytona500 to enter.