In a sensational joint announcement, NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports announced the plans to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023. This would see the winningest team in the sport’s history take part in the pinnacle of endurance racing, marking the first time a NASCAR team is doing so in nearly half a century.
However, so far, the details of which drivers will take part in the event aren’t announced. Though, this whole project will be overseen by Chad Knaus, the Vice President of Competition at HMS.
NASCAR and @TeamHendrick team up for Garage 56 entry at @24hoursoflemans in 2023. pic.twitter.com/zTn7t3GNNp
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 17, 2022
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Surprisingly, though, many NASCAR fans weren’t exactly welcoming to this news.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a very important event and you’re using it as a testing session? Such a lack of respect
— Alfa (@AlfaM_37) March 17, 2022
NASCAR need to sort thier own shit out first in their own back yard before messing around like this not impressed just my opinion
— KEVIN GRAVENELL (@elliott9kev) March 17, 2022
Or 24 minutes of Le mans – If they put Chase Elliott to destroy the car
— 🇰🇮 (@Ribamar96) March 17, 2022
As if the track attack program wasn’t enough free road course testing for Hendrick. Lol
— Lord Voldemort (@TeamBubba23) March 17, 2022
Or you could just goto @24hoursoflemons and have a lot money left over for beer. But you do you.
— Kevin (RoStyle) S (@lf9bbody) March 17, 2022
I speak for everyone when I say this is not a sport and nobody is watching
— Riven (@rlvenxd) March 17, 2022
Modified Cup car as Garage 56 entry reserved for concept cars. So basically it’s an experiment.
— Steve Grivna (@SteveGrivna) March 17, 2022
Hendrick Motorsports is “ready” for the challenge to take NASCAR to Le Mans
Jim France, the CEO and Chairman of NASCAR said during the announcement how it was important for his father, Bill France Sr, the founder of NASCAR, that the sport played a big, visible role in international motorsports.
“There is no bigger stage than the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” France added.
“In partnering with Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear, we have the winningest team, manufacturer and tire in NASCAR history. We look forward to showcasing the technology in the Next Gen car and putting forward a competitive entry in the historic race.”
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via Getty
DAYTONA, FL – JANUARY 12: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet, during Next Gen Testing on January 12, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While Rick Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, called racing in an event as iconic as 24 Hours of Le Mans and representing NASCAR and Chevrolet on the world stage, is “a privilege.”
“It’s a humbling opportunity — one that will present an exciting challenge over the next 15 months — but our team is ready.”
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So, who do you think would be the two Hendrick drivers that will be behind the wheel of the specially prepared ZL1 Camaro in Le Mans next year? And more importantly, do you think they’ll come away with something worth the money, time, and effort that will undoubtedly go into this endeavor?
