It’s not this car, but Rick Hendrick did confirm one thing, “It’s going to be expensive.” More later – drivers, specs, pit stops, racing strategy…
Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR said today they will run at Le Mans in the 2023 24 hour-race as the unique Garage 56* entry. The car will be a modified version of the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race car. At a press conference before the Sebring 12-hour IMSA race this weekend (10 a.m. ET on Peacock, 3:30 p.m. on USA) that is part of the World Endurance Championship, the collaboration of NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, IMSA, and Goodyear was announced.
Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in NASCAR Cup Series championships, points-paying victories and laps led. The team is coming off its second consecutive title and has won two of the four races in 2022. Seven-time champion crew chief Chad Knaus will serve as its Garage 56 program manager. Further details, including technical elements of the car and the team’s driver lineup, will be announced at a later date. Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports did confirm one thing though, “It’s going to be expensive.”
“Participating in one of the truly iconic events in auto racing and representing NASCAR and Chevrolet on the world stage is a privilege,” said Hendrick. “Jim (France – NASCAR CEO) deserves tremendous credit for having the vision for the project, and we thank him for trusting our organization with the responsibility. Even though Garage 56 is a ‘class of one,’ we are competitors and have every intention of putting a bold product on the racetrack for the fans at Le Mans. It’s a humbling opportunity – one that will present an exciting challenge over the next 15 months – but our team is ready.”
Bill France first brought stock cars to Le Mans on June 12, 1976, after reaching a deal with the event’s organizers. Two NASCAR race cars – a Dodge Charger owned and driven by Hershel McGriff, and a Junie Donlavey-owned Ford Torino driven by Richard Brooks and Dick Hutcherson competed in a newly-created Grand International class.
“Garage 56 is a special opportunity at Le Mans since this race has been a leader in technological process for the auto industry over its nearly century long existence,” said Pierre Fillon, president of l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “When the ACO receives an application for a Garage 56 program, we begin by talking with designers, team partners, and suppliers in order to set performance parameters such that the program can be successful for everyone involved. We will continue to work with NASCAR and all their partners as they work toward their proposed 2023 Garage 56 project.”
*Garage 56 was introduced in 2012 as a special single-entry class reserved for innovative cars. It allows for the testing of new technologies and innovation without taking away the spot of a car from the traditional starting grid. The invitations don’t officially come out until January. And there are politics involved in what’s allowed. ACO doesn’t want the car to be better than traditional entries, particularly in the top classes.
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Hendrick Motorsports to Run Camaro ZL1 at Le Mans!
It’s not this car, but Rick Hendrick did confirm one thing, “It’s going to be expensive.” More later – drivers, specs, pit stops, racing strategy…
Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR said today they will run at Le Mans in the 2023 24 hour-race as the unique Garage 56* entry. The car will be a modified version of the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race car. At a press conference before the Sebring 12-hour IMSA race this weekend (10 a.m. ET on Peacock, 3:30 p.m. on USA) that is part of the World Endurance Championship, the collaboration of NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, IMSA, and Goodyear was announced.
Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in NASCAR Cup Series championships, points-paying victories and laps led. The team is coming off its second consecutive title and has won two of the four races in 2022. Seven-time champion crew chief Chad Knaus will serve as its Garage 56 program manager. Further details, including technical elements of the car and the team’s driver lineup, will be announced at a later date. Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports did confirm one thing though, “It’s going to be expensive.”
“Participating in one of the truly iconic events in auto racing and representing NASCAR and Chevrolet on the world stage is a privilege,” said Hendrick. “Jim (France – NASCAR CEO) deserves tremendous credit for having the vision for the project, and we thank him for trusting our organization with the responsibility. Even though Garage 56 is a ‘class of one,’ we are competitors and have every intention of putting a bold product on the racetrack for the fans at Le Mans. It’s a humbling opportunity – one that will present an exciting challenge over the next 15 months – but our team is ready.”
Bill France first brought stock cars to Le Mans on June 12, 1976, after reaching a deal with the event’s organizers. Two NASCAR race cars – a Dodge Charger owned and driven by Hershel McGriff, and a Junie Donlavey-owned Ford Torino driven by Richard Brooks and Dick Hutcherson competed in a newly-created Grand International class.
“Garage 56 is a special opportunity at Le Mans since this race has been a leader in technological process for the auto industry over its nearly century long existence,” said Pierre Fillon, president of l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “When the ACO receives an application for a Garage 56 program, we begin by talking with designers, team partners, and suppliers in order to set performance parameters such that the program can be successful for everyone involved. We will continue to work with NASCAR and all their partners as they work toward their proposed 2023 Garage 56 project.”
*Garage 56 was introduced in 2012 as a special single-entry class reserved for innovative cars. It allows for the testing of new technologies and innovation without taking away the spot of a car from the traditional starting grid. The invitations don’t officially come out until January. And there are politics involved in what’s allowed. ACO doesn’t want the car to be better than traditional entries, particularly in the top classes.
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