[thePill]

There have been sources that have stated that the ZL1 was very close to the top speed of the Grand Am Continental Tire series GS.R at VIR. The GS.R is a base 426hp LS3 at a race weight of 3350lbs, while a 3900lb, 505hp car would obviously struggle with weight, better VIR lap times come from handling the violent "S's". Depending on the lap time, I could see a vast improvement in a lighter car. While the CTS-V pulled a 144mph top speed at VIR (which is around where the ZL1 is said to be) the CTS-V still could not out handle the GT500 throughout the rest of the track. During that run, the GT500 only pulled a 137mph (same as the 5.0) down the back stretch but still bested the CTS-V due to the weight and S bends. Once the GT500 reaches 142-145mph on that stretch, the lap time dropped to 2:58.48 down from 3:04.

In tracks with elevation changes and repeated S bends, a lighter car, regardless of horsepower will likely take a more powerful car. Even on a very fast track like Willow, the Boss was only half a second off the GT500. Everywhere else the Boss pulls ahead because it is easier to handle. At VIR, being 3800lbs and being subjected to the S bends is a violent and scary experience. The CTS-V and GT500 were pulling between 1.1 and 1.5gs at 60-90mph, the difference (and reason the CTS-V lost) was due to the 5-6mph loss the Caddy let up due to excessive Gs. With a 505hp, 3900lb car, it wouldn't be far fetched to think that although the Z28 couldn't reach 145mph, it would dominate the ZL1 throughout the entire track. I can easily see top speeds reaching 140mph with those stats...

And that would be the first 3 laps @ 3 minutes per lap, lap 4 would have the ZL1 heat soaked and its only advantage (power) would be lost. Two cars, both close to 500hp, one weighing 300lbs more. That power to weight ratio would begin to fluctuate drastically in the ZL1 and still... the Z28 would be cheaper...