On August 14, Chevrolet compete for two category inside 2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno race, wey be America longest off-road desert competition. The 2027 Next-Generation Silverado 1500 ZR2 debut inside Stock Production Truck Full segment and a Colorado ZR2 inside Stock Production Mini/Mid category.
Di 2027 Silverado ZR2 pack all-new 6.6L V8 engine, e dey deliver 481 horsepower and 501 lb.-ft. of torque, and e put im strength on full display. For 2027, ZR2 raise bar with more capability pass before. Dem engineer Silverado ZR2 as off-road flagship of Silverado family, building on nameplate blend of proven off-road capability and on-road comfort. Standard equipment include 35-inch Mud Terrain tires, 2-inch lift with more aggressive stance, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and dedicated off-road hood with enhanced power dome.
For midsize class, Colorado ZR2 use tried-and-true 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. E also get 17-inch wheels with mud-terrain tires, Multimatic DSSV dampers wey provide enhanced control on challenging terrain, 3-inch lift, and front and rear locking differentials.
Both race trucks run with nearly all stock parts, na wetin Program Manager, Offroad Racing Performance and Race Integration Nicole McKinnon talk. ‘We prepared the truck thoroughly, using the Legends Rally in July as a shakedown opportunity for the Silverado ZR2,’ McKinnon talk. ‘We put the truck through its paces to the point that we were comfortable with its readiness for all 505 miles.’
Veteran drivers Chad Hall and Chris Woo compete for Chevrolet, and Performance Engineering Group Manager Tim Demetrio talk say na them be team competitive advantage inside crowded field. Years of experience reading and anticipating terrain dey make big difference when e reach finish line with truck intact. ‘It’s about driving within the capability of the vehicle,’ Demetrio talk. ‘The trucks have plenty of power, and our drivers know how hard they can push them. It’s really an art; they have to be able to read the terrain in front of them. When a dip is ahead, they have to understand whether they can hit it at 40 or 4 miles per hour.’
Off-road racing na dusty, thrilling spectacle wey need great drivers and extremely tough vehicles, and 2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno race be prime competition opportunity for both trucks. Event span nearly 505 miles of challenging terrain wey include dry lake beds, rocky canyons, and desert valleys threading through mountains of Nevada.
While race normally start under neon lights of Las Vegas and end for Reno, this year mark event 30th anniversary and run Reno to Vegas for first time in reverse. As result, competitors tackle slower, rockier area off starting line for Dayton, Nevada instead of flatter landscape surrounding Vegas area.
Chevrolet driver (and Silverado owner) Woo talk say he don dey look forward to drive new Silverado. ‘The new truck takes everything that was great about the 2026 ZR2 and elevates it even further,’ Woo talk. ‘It’s super familiar but better than ever. Also, I was really impressed with the new Baja drive mode.’
Both Chevy trucks carry desert-race-proven Multimatic DSSV dampers. For production 2027 Silverado ZR2, damper system don improve and pair with jounce control dampers to help truck remain composed over demanding terrain. Chevrolet don work with Multimatic for over decade, and company don make significant improvements over years wey help race teams up their game. The jounce control dampers now featured on Silverado ZR2 first show on Colorado ZR2 Bison, giving drivers more capacity to tackle bigger whoops and potholes with confidence. ‘The updated DSSV dampers continue the tradition of no compromise in performance,’ Demetrio explain. ‘Their unique architecture allows solid off-road capacity while on-road performance is held to the standard our customers expect.’
For end of race, next-generation Silverado log very successful first outing, complete 505-mile race in 11 hours, 43 minutes at average pace of 43.1 mph. That’s 1.1 mph faster than our record pace, even including full brake pad change at pit stop about 300 miles in. ‘The truck has lots of space and it’s super nimble,’ Woo talk. ‘We had the air conditioner going, and it’s just so comfortable in the cabin. That helps a lot when you’re racing, because you get mental fatigue; having those standard features of a Chevrolet production vehicle makes it more comfortable to drive.’
Chevrolet live stream this race for www.youtube.com/@Hall_Racing on August 14, 2026; you can relive action inside our 2027 Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2 as dem travel 505 miles of Nevada desert.
