Chevrolet completed another successful year in motorsports in 2015, earning six manufacturer and five driver championships in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, United SportsCar Championship and Pirelli World Challenge series.
In addition, Chevrolet drivers won several noteworthy races in 2015, including the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar Dual in Detroit, NHRA U.S. Nationals, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, and the manufacturer’s first overall victory in 50 years at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
“Winning championships and key races are two goals we have every season,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “What we learn on the race track helps us build better vehicles and powertrains for the showroom. Winning races and championships helps elevate brand opinion and image. Consumers are more likely to place our cars and trucks on their shopping list.”
Chevrolet’s wins in 2015 came on road courses, ovals and drag strips. Season highlights:
- IndyCar – The Chevrolet 2.2 liter, direct-injected, twin-turbo V6 IndyCar engine combined with the new-for-2015 Chevrolet aero kit to produce 16 poles and 10 wins in 16 races en route to Chevrolet winning the Manufacturer Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Scott Dixon won the Driver Championship, and Juan Pablo Montoya won the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.
- NASCAR Sprint Cup – Chevrolet won the Manufacturer Championship for a record-extending 13th consecutive year and 39th time overall, more than any other manufacturer. Team Chevy drivers scored 15 race wins. Chevrolet became the first manufacturer to reach 750 all-time wins in the series when Kevin Harvick reached victory lane at Dover (Del.) in October.
- NASCAR Xfinity – Chevrolet won the Bill France Performance Cup as the series’ top manufacturer for the 17th time. Chevrolet became the first manufacturer to reach 400 all-time wins in the series when Chase Elliott won at Richmond (Va.) in September.
- NHRA – Chevrolet won the Manufacturer Bowl for the second year in a row and 21st time overall. (The Manufacturer Bowl goes to the automobile manufacturer whose current-year models earn the most points for qualifying and category victories at national, regional and divisional events.) Erica Enders won the Pro Stock Championship for the second year in a row, and scored a class-leading nine events, including the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. Chevrolet scored 29 national event victories in three Eliminator categories.
- IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship – Chevrolet won the Prototype Engine Manufacturer title for the second consecutive year; the Corvette Daytona Prototype (DP) is four for four in championships since making its debut in 2012. The Corvette DP reeled off seven consecutive victories, and each of the four teams scored wins in 2015. Christian Fittipaldi and Joao Barbosa won the Prototype Driver Championship. In the GT category, Corvette Racing won three endurance races in 2015. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Ryan Briscoe won Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor won the 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Pro Class, marking Chevrolet’s eighth class win at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
- IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge – Chevrolet won its first-ever championship in the Grand Sport (GS) class. Andrew Davis and Robin Liddell won the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Driver Championship. The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.R won four races in 2015 to lead all manufacturers.
In addition, Donny Schatz, driver of the Chevrolet Performance-sponsored No. 15 World of Outlaws entry, won 31 A-Main races and the series driver championship for the seventh time in his career.
“We’re proud of the Chevrolet drivers, teams and crews that delivered wins and championships that made 2015 another successful race season,” Campbell said.