--- title: "Chevy Corvette ZR1 Bites GM Exec at Detroit IndyCar Race" description: "As it turns out, the fastest-ever Corvette isn't easily tamed. Not even by its forefathers." date: "2018-06-03" modified: "2018-06-04" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21283/chevy-corvette-zr1-bites-gm-exec-at-detroit-indycar-race" categories: - "Chevrolet News" - "GM News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Racing" tags: - "2019 Corvette ZR1" - "Chevrolet" - "Corvette" - "Coupe" - "Crash" - "Detroit" - "Detroit Grand Prix" - "indycar" - "Indycar Series" - "sports car" - "Supercar" --- # Chevy Corvette ZR1 Bites GM Exec at Detroit IndyCar Race ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Horsepower bites, and when it bites, it bites hard. This is the lesson Mark Reuss, head of product development for General Motors learned today while piloting the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 around the streets of Belle Isle in [Detroit](). Reuss had an entire field of IndyCar drivers waiting for him to kick off the second race of this weekend's Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix when he hit the wall and went into a spin. It all started when Reuss, who has paced the [Detroit GP]() numerous times, began the warmup lap after torrential rains slammed most of Detroit earlier this morning. As a result, a track that is notorious for its slippery surfaces and violent bumps was washed away of whatever rubber it had gained from the two previous days of racing. Not so bad for professional daredevils, but pretty challenging stuff for a company executive turned racing aficionado. https://youtube.com/embed/fyKODVVdpDY As this [video]() shows, Reuss was minding his own business, enjoying the lovely exhaust note of the ZR1, when a combination of a slight bump and a crest at the exit of turn two upset the 'Vette and induced some serious oversteer. After sitting at turns one and two all weekend long at [Belle Isle](), I can attest that the bumps are wild enough to push the best of suspensions to their maximum. In a nutshell, Reuss didn't stand a chance. With 755 horsepower, the [2019 ZR1]() is the fastest Corvette ever produced by the folks at Bowling Green. Even with its massive rear wing and intercut bodywork, this goes to show that no amount of downforce and no computerized nannies can save you from the laws of physics. Too much power plus little grip, plus non-professional driver, equals an embarrassing moment on T.V. *Update: Reuss is in good health did not suffer any injuries, but the airbags deployed due to the sheer force of the impact. IndyCar veteran Oriol Servia will get behind the wheel of a backup ZR1 for the remainder of the race.* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()