NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports to pursue 2023 Le Mans entry

Colin
By Colin Wood
Mar 18, 2022 | Le Mans, IMSA, nascar, Hendrick Motorsports

Photography Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports announced today plans to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 with a Next Gen stock car.

You read that correctly.


In collaboration with IMSA, Chevrolet and Goodyear, the plan is to compete using a “specially prepared” Camaro ZL1 from the NASCAR Cup Series.

The announcement indicates that more details, including the team’s driver lineup, will be released at a later date.

Whether or not this a move by NASCAR to prove the performance of the Next Gen stock car, having one in the 24 Hours of Le Mans–the first since 1976–should make for a good show.

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
3/17/22 1:33 p.m.

Watching the feed now. Breaking news. 

GregAmy
GregAmy New Reader
3/17/22 1:38 p.m.

Ok, I'm listening...

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
3/17/22 1:46 p.m.

In reply to GregAmy :

I know, right? 

tuna55
tuna55 MegaDork
3/17/22 1:51 p.m.

Yes please. More of this can only be good for both series.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
3/17/22 1:54 p.m.

In reply to tuna55 :

Agreed. Putting stock cars on the same track as GT3 cars means we don't have to use iRacing to compare the two anymore. wink

 

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
3/17/22 1:59 p.m.

Oh hell yes.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy MegaDork
3/17/22 2:13 p.m.

I guess that will test the transaxle well enough.  I'd imagine that car should work quite nicely.  Drop redline down to 8000 or so and go nuts.

jb229
jb229 New Reader
3/17/22 2:15 p.m.

Hopefully this starts a tradition for garage 56, where if it's empty they just invite a car from a random series.  Aussie supercars or BTCC next!

Flyman615
Flyman615 New Reader
3/17/22 2:35 p.m.

You bet! I'd love to see how stock cars perform at LeMans and Sebring, for example. Bring it on!

Definitely gone now
Definitely gone now SuperDork
3/17/22 2:35 p.m.

Right...."Camaro". 

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