NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports have announced an intention to field a Garage 56 entry at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans with a modified NextGen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Cup Car.
The plans were revealed during a joint NASCAR-IMSA press conference at Sebring International Raceway on Thursday, with Automobile Club de l’Ouest president Pierre Fillon also in attendance.
The initiative is a joint effort between several parties, consisting of NASCAR, Hendrick, Chevrolet, IMSA and Goodyear. Further details, including technical specifications and driver line-up will be announced at a later date.
“From the early days of NASCAR, it was important to my father that we played a visible role in international motorsports, and there is no bigger stage than the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said NASCAR chairman Jim France.
“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.”
The effort will be taking up the so-called Garage 56 entry. Introduced in 2012, the unclassified entry is meant for innovative cars.
In 2021, it was taken up by SRT41 fielding an entry with two disabled drivers. Before that, it has featured the Nissan DeltaWing and ZEOD RC projects.
“Garage 56 is a special opportunity at Le Mans since this race has been a leader in technological process for the auto industry over its nearly century long existence,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.
“When the ACO receives an application for a Garage 56 program, we begin by talking with designers, team partners, and suppliers in order to set performance parameters such that the program can be successful for everyone involved.
We will continue to work with NASCAR and all their partners as they work toward their proposed 2023 Garage 56 project.”
Hope they give the car the correct octane fuel.