Le Mans Classic 2026 Guide – HSR Nascar Classic: The American Landing

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first participation of Nascar cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a field of 36 stock cars representing seven decades of the US championship will make the trip.

The spectators who were present at the Centenary edition of 24 Hours of Le MansIn 2023, people still fondly remember the deep rumble of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1's V8, an initiative of the Nascar as Garage 56. Now, imagine that same raging melody, but multiplied… by 36! On Saturday at 17:10 p.m., these "big block" engines, typical of American culture and stock car racing, will resonate in unison at the HSR Nascar Classic, a unique event organized in coordination with Peter Auto, Nascar, and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), organizer of the leading Classic competitions across the Atlantic and the vintage branch of theIMSAThe transatlantic collaboration will continue from November 11 to 15 with the arrival of Peter Auto teams at the HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hours. “All of us at HSR join our loyal competitive members in thanking Marc Ouayoun (Managing Director of Peter Auto. Editor's Noter) and the entire Peter Auto team as well as the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (CO), for having made this exciting transatlantic exchange a much-anticipated reality.”John Doonan, president of HSR and IMSA, is delighted. “Being able to admire classic sports cars from the same era that took part in the first major endurance races at Daytona more than 60 years ago is truly an unmissable experience, both for competitors and racing enthusiasts. We are also delighted to bring the HSR Nascar Classic ‘Thunder of America’ back to France, 50 years after Bill France (NASCAR executive from 1972 to 2003. Editor's note)And the organizers of Le Mans collaborated for the first time to showcase high-powered American stock cars at Le Mans.

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Classic

• 07/07/2026
• 11:32

Le Mans Classic has launched its new era

In 1976, two stock cars arrived from the United States to try their luck at Le Mans, an initiative spearheaded by the ACO and NASCAR to celebrate the 200th anniversary of American independence, as well as to boost participation in a difficult economic climate following the first oil crisis. A Dodge Charger, driven by the father-son duo Hershel McGriff and Doug McGriff, and a Ford Torino entrusted to the trio of NASCAR specialist Dick Brooks, former Ford GT40 Le Mans member Dick Hutcherson (3rd in 1966 in a Ford GT40), and Bugatti circuit instructor Marcel Mignot, were the crowd favorites. Unfortunately, the excitement quickly faded, as the winding nature of the 24 Hours road course proved ill-suited to cars more at home on ovals. For the McGriff family, the adventure lasted only two laps. The gasoline used in France had a much lower octane rating than what was available across the Atlantic, and the engines hadn't been modified accordingly. As for the Dodge Charger, it performed better until the eleventh hour of the race, when it too was forced to retire due to a transmission problem. The good news is that it will return in its 1976 version thanks to Frenchman Christophe Schwartz, a regular at Le Mans Classic. 

The history of NASCAR reunited

Launched in 2025, the HSR Nascar Classic is already a resounding success with American fans, boasting full grids and a refreshing diversity. It must be said that – and the Le Mans Classic entry list proves it – the cars offer a wide range, from the oldest car, dating back to 1966, to the most recent model, from 2020. The competition will therefore provide an opportunity to understand the evolution of this sport, from the #43 Plymouth Belvedere replica of "The King" Richard Petty to the Chevrolet Camaro driven by its owner… none other than the 2004 Nascar Cup Series champion, Kurt Busch! The NASCAR Hall of Famer will make his first trip to Le Mans with this car, part of his personal collection, which he drove to victory in the 2020 Las Vegas race. Among the must-see vehicles, NASCAR enthusiasts will easily recognize Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Dodge Charger (2012 champion), as well as the No. 48 Chevrolet Impala of record-holder Jimmie Johnson. The black Chevrolet RCR Lumina, bearing the famous No. 3 of Dale Earnhardt in road racing from 1992 to 1994, will also be present. There will even be a truck, a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado driven by former NFL player Scott Dolfi.

The three races and Friday's practice sessions take place during the day; this is the only series with this characteristic. The reason? A NASCAR car isn't equipped with headlights, obviously!

Le Mans Classic Legend 2026
HSR Nascar Classic Program

Friday
Tests: 10:20
Qualifications: 18:20
Saturday
Race 1: 17:10
Sunday
Race 2: 10:25
Race 3: 15:25