Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 driver hit speeds so fast in Texas he actually melted his own rear bumper

Down in the Lone Star State of Texas, one Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sped all the way to success, but paid a price.

It all happened at a prestigious race that occurs in the state annually, with one driver setting a new speed record.

But, with success came consequences, with the Corvette suffering some exterior damage.

In fact, the rear bumper appeared to be melted after a post by the event page got car fans talking.

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This Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 came away a bit worse for wear

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 C7 is one powerful car, with specifications to please any driver, but during one race in Texas, the car came away looking a little battered and bruised.

You see, it all happened during the Big Bend Open Road Race in Texas, at the hands of John Anhalt.

The driver managed to absolutely smash a speed record, owning the track at speeds of over 173MPH.

“A huge congratulations to John Anhalt for setting a new top average speed record at the Big Bend Open Road Race — blazing through the course with an incredible average speed of 173.004 MPH!

“This is a monumental achievement that pushes the limits of what’s possible on the open road. John’s precision, skill, and fearless driving have raised the bar for everyone in the BBORR community,” the event posted on social media.

“I changed every single thing on the car I could to prepare for this race,” driver John Anhalt told Road & Track.

“The ZR1 now makes about 30 percent more horsepower than stock.”

The Corvette is known to pump out 755-horsepower thanks to the 6.2-liter V8 powerhouse beneath the hood.

But, as a result of the record-breaking drive, the car’s rear bumper suffered some damage and actually melted, with the car even referred to as the ‘toasted marshmallow’.

The driver is said to be trying to see what the real cause was, but it could be down to the fact that there is reportedly no real exhaust system.

But, hey, as the saying goes, no pain, no gain.

Here’s what really goes down at the event

The Big Ben Open Road Race is commonly known as ‘The Most Challenging Open Road Race in the World’.

It boasts two races every single year, commonly taking place in April and October.

The route is a whopping 118-mile trek that starts in Fort Stockton and ends in Sanderson, which loops.

“Recognized as One of the Most Challenging Open Road Races in the World, BBORR offers competitors the chance to push their vehicles to the limit while navigating the breathtaking curves and elevation changes of the Big Bend Region,” race organisers explained.

“With speed classes ranging from 100 to Unlimited, drivers of all experience levels can participate, making it an exciting event for both rookies and seasoned racers.”

Now, it’s important to note that this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen a ZR1 dominate the race track, with a stock 2025 Corvette ZR1 making 1028hp in its first Dyno run, plus it even took on the Nürburgring track too.

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