The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X completed the quarter mile in 8.675 seconds at 159 mph on pump gas using standard-equipment tires and a production 50-state street-legal engine calibration. It also achieved a 0-60 mph time of 1.68 seconds on the same run.
The test, which took place at US 131 Motorsports Park in west Michigan south of Grand Rapids, proved Corvette to be the quickest American production car and the fastest way to hit a drag strip for less than $1 million, according to Chevrolet.
The car was equipped with ZR1X’s standard aero configuration, standard Michelin PS4S tires, and available carbon fiber wheels.
The vehicle used for testing completed multiple back-to-back quarter mile runs, all under 8.8 seconds. The 2026 Corvette ZR1X uses its twin-turbo LT7 V8 engine and front-axle electric motor to generate a total of 1,250 horsepower, sending it to the ground via electrified all-wheel drive.
Corvette development engineer and test driver Stefan Frick earned this record-breaking quarter-mile performance using Corvette’s standard Custom Launch Control feature, found throughout the lineup from Stingray to ZR1X.
Custom Launch Control manages tire spin, transmission clutch application rate, and numerous other parameters, allowing the driver to optimize acceleration runs by adjusting launch RPM and wheel slip targets from the auxiliary driver display.
“There are many different parts and subsystems on this car, with teams across the company responsible for them,” says Frick. “We were all motivated by the mission to break into the eights — this is a powerful example of the in-house skill at GM, and the level of performance we developed into this car.”
The 2026 Corvette ZR1X began production in December 2025, and is built at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
In Related News: Cadillac Racing, in conjunction with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing and Cadillac Whelen, revealed the liveries of its three Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) racecars that will contest the nine-race 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign.
The Roar Before the 24 this week leads into the season-opening 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 24-25.
While the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R livery is unchanged, the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R has transitioned from chrome blue to metallic blue with white accents while the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R has transitioned from chrome to black with white accents. The U.S. flag on all three GTPs has been moved to the front fender.
