This NASCAR season has seen a surge of road course specialists like Shane van Gisbergen, Will Brown, and Cam Waters trying to make their mark. Where SVG clinched the Sonoma 250 title, both Waters and Brown faced early exits due to unforeseen circumstances. Nonetheless, all three of them have proven their worth this season, thus making way for more like them.

The focus now shifts to Joey Hand, the next in line of road course riggers. The Le Mans Class winner is all set to board a #60 Ford and take on the Chicago Street Race challenge. However, what do you think are the odds that we have another elephant in the room, or, in this case, another track?

The stage #60 legacy and Joey Hand’s introduction

The #60 car from Brad Keselowski’s team has seen a variety of skilled drivers, the most recent being Cam Waters. Waters, despite struggling in qualifying, showcased his prowess by running in the top 20 during the Sonoma race. Unfortunately, on lap 35, a wreck involving Josh Berry triggered a multi-car pileup. Berry cut across the nose of Erik Jones, hit the inside wall in Turn 11, and then rebounded onto the track, colliding with several cars, including Martin Truex Jr and Waters. Waters’ No. 60 Ford sustained significant damage, ultimately forcing him to retire after 66 laps with a P35 finish.

Next up in the #60 car is Joey Hand. Hand’s impressive career spans multiple racing disciplines, including Le Mans, DTM, IMSA, and NASCAR. Driving for Rick Ware Racing in 2021–2022, Hand turned heads with his ability to compete near the front in a backmarker car. “Saying I’m excited is an understatement,” he expressed about joining RFK Racing. “I love street racing, and Chicago is right in my wheelhouse. NASCAR is some of the toughest competition I’ve been up against.”

To top things up even further for RFK, BuildSubmarines.com, which partnered with the ‘Stage 60’ initiative at Daytona and Sonoma, will again sponsor Hand’s race at Chicago. All these developments had created an ethos of excitement just waiting to explode.

As soon as  NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass revealed the news of Hand joining Brad Keselowski’s team, the cloud of excitement came down heavily on NASCAR fans. And the Reddit NASCAR community started buzzing louder than ever.

Fan reactions and Joey Hand’s diverse racing background

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The announcement of Joey Hand joining the Chicago Street Race roster has elicited a range of reactions from NASCAR fans. One fan noted, “Joey Hand raced in the cup well before SVG did,” highlighting Hand’s extensive experience. Another fan pointed out the increasing competence of full-time Cup drivers on road courses, stating, “The full-time drivers are putting a lot more effort into preparing for road courses, which takes away from some of the ringer’s advantages.”

Some fans praised his skills, with one saying, “One of the best American sportscar drivers of his generation and Ford has unfortunately just been sitting on him for years.” Another added, “Nice of him to give the team a helping hand.” The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await to see Hand in action, with comments like, “Hopefully he and Chris Buescher hit it off well and Chris ends up filling out the Mustang lineup for the 2025 Rolex 24.”

These fan reactions cannot be dismissed as mere hype when we look at Joey Hand’s racing credentials. He has competed in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, DTM, IMSA, and multiple NASCAR road courses. Hand’s NASCAR debut came in 2021 with Rick Ware Racing, where he drove the #52 car at the Charlotte Roval. His subsequent stints included races at Circuit of the Americas, Sonoma, Road America, Indianapolis Road Course, Watkins Glen, and again at the Roval in 2022, and his best finish was 20th at Sonoma, showcasing his skill in handling diverse and challenging tracks.

Joey Hand’s entry into the Chicago Street Race has not only hyped up fans but also added a strategic advantage for Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing. With his extensive experience and proven track record, Hand is set to make a significant impact, continuing the legacy of the #60 car.