NASCAR is coming to the 24 2023 Hours of Le Mans!

A Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 meeting the new regulations NASCAR Next Gen will be specifically prepared by Hendrick Motorsports for the Centennial Race. It will take place in Garage 56, an additional space allocated to an innovative vehicle that does not meet any of the regulations in place. 

Reigning Cup Series champion with Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports last season broke the record of 268 victories previously held by Petty Enterprises, bringing the mark to 282 victories for 14 driver and team titles. It is therefore the reference team in the discipline which was chosen to come and face the double round of the clock in Sarthe.

Let's show the world. Welcome to Garage 56. pic.twitter.com/pBC0PSiWHt

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 17, 2022

Chad Knaus, emblematic crew chief of seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, will have the difficult task of supervising this project rich in symbols, almost 50 years after the last appearance of a NASCAR car at Le Mans. In 1976, two "monsters" took part in the event, a Dodge Charger and a Ford Grand Turin. 

The Dodge Charger 24H of Le Mans 1976 © 24H Le Mans

This initiative supported by Chevrolet and Goodyear is certainly not insignificant at a time when the venerable institution is considering a transition to hybrid after having already crossed a technological and ideological chasm by equipping the 7th generation cars with independent suspensions, 18-inch center-lock wheels and a sequential gearbox.

Although no information has been provided regarding the crew, the team has many talents experienced in road circuit driving including the last two reigning champions Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. As for Jimmie Johnson, who has been struggling for two seasons to emerge from the turbulent pack ofIndycar, he has never hidden his Le Mans ambitions... All bets are off!