Piloted by IndyCar and Pikes Peak veteran JR Hildebrand, the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X has blown the production car record out of the water at Pikes Peak. The record was beaten "confidently," Chevrolet told me at the base of the mountain, minutes after Hildebrand's run to the top.The climb is always agonizing from the pits, as poor cell and satellite service mean some teams must rely only on TV coverage of their attempt to see how things are going. After seeing the car off, Chevrolet race team members sprinted back to their garage to watch the attempt live. After an agonizing, but incredibly short wait, the ZR1X crossed the line in 9:30.104, a full 23 seconds faster than the previous production car record. From my post near the start line, I could hear the Chevrolet crew cheering.Theory Communication and DesignThe previous record was that of David Donner, who drove a Porsche 911 Turbo S to the summit in 2022. All cars, including the ZR1X that won on Sunday, must receive some modifications for safety. This includes a roll cage, fuel cell, five-point harness system, cutoff switches, and a fire suppression system. Other than that, the Corvette was unmodified. The car completed the run on the very same Michelin Pilot Cup 2R tires you get when you order a ZR1X right from Chevrolet.AdvertisementAdvertisement"I like to race places where the challenge is simple and overt — places where you can write your own script in terms of what you show up with, what you're racing, and who you're racing against. Pikes Peak is just the… It's like the ultimate mashup of those things," said Hildebrand.JR Hildebrand at Pikes Peak in the Corvette ZR1XTheory Communication and DesignDespite 1,250 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a huge V8 behind his head to provide power and grip, Hildebrand says the course isn't easy. "It's a 12.42-mile course with 156 corners, where the start line is at 9,400 feet of elevation and the finish is in the clouds at 14,100 feet. The nature of the circuit itself is an enormous challenge."This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.