[gkgeiger]

Just announced. JJ, Jensen Button, and Mike Rocenfeller to race a Hendrick owned Camaro at Le Mans.

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/20...y-for-le-mans/

[3798j]

Pretty neat attempt...
"The Garage 56 entry — a collaboration among NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear that is based on the Cup Series’ Next Gen car — is set to race at Le Mans on Jun. 10-11 as a special-invitation entrant."

[Killed by Death]

[Murf the Surf]

This is going to be a problem, not all the turns are left an Le Mans. Interesting concept though, Nascar can build some neat cars, should be interesting to see how they stand up and how competitive they are.

[3798j]

Originally Posted by Murf the Surf

This is going to be a problem, not all the turns are left an Le Mans. Interesting concept though, Nascar can build some neat cars, should be interesting to see how they stand up and how competitive they are.

Possibly youre not familiar with the new "Gen 7" car. Introduced last year, it now has the bottom of the car sealed with an underwing and rear diffuser for aerodynamics giving enhanced downforce. The rear axle is now an independent transaxle with a sequential 5 spd gearset. The wheels are now 18" BBS centerlocks covering huge 6 piston caliper brakes. The cars look at home on a road course and the drivers applaud the handling.

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by 3798j

Possibly youre not familiar with the new "Gen 7" car. Introduced last year, it now has the bottom of the car sealed with an underwing and rear diffuser for aerodynamics giving enhanced downforce. The rear axle is now an independent transaxle with a sequential 5 spd gearset. The wheels are now 18" BBS centerlocks covering huge 6 piston caliper brakes. The cars look at home on a road course and the drivers applaud the handling.

I haven't really been a Nascar fan but have no doubt about what you say. Those good ole boys have always been pretty good at racing.

[991C2]

Originally Posted by Murf the Surf

I haven't really been a Nascar fan but have no doubt about what you say. Those good ole boys have always been pretty good at racing.

This car is going to surprise a lot of people.
They're still developing the car and it is currently running the same lap times as the quickest GTD Aston Martin.
These are not the antiquated cars that most people associate with NASCAR. As 3798j pointed out, these are serious race cars. Plus, they don't have a set of rules they need to build to, so they're much more open to develop the car freely.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/nascar...around-daytona

[3798j]

Jimmie Johnson, former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mike Rockenfeller and 2009 Formula 1 world champion Button all drove in a two-day test at Daytona International Speedway’s Road Course, which included a 12-hour simulation and night-time running.

“It was great watching Jenson climb out of the car for the first time,” Jimmie Johnson said. “He was speechless for a while and his eyes were so big. He’s like, ‘How can it have so much power and so little grip?’

https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/ne...-run/10432743/

[Killed by Death]

The #BLM version looked better

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/20...eveal-daytona/

[CTPJ]

This isn't the first time. It was done back in 1976.

[ScottMarker]

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

Just announced. JJ, Jensen Button, and Mike Rocenfeller to race a Hendrick owned Camaro at Le Mans. four in a row

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/20...y-for-le-mans/

That's exciting news! JJ (likely referring to Jimmie Johnson), Jensen Button, and Mike Rockenfeller racing a Hendrick-owned Camaro at Le Mans is sure to be a notable and eagerly anticipated event for motorsport enthusiasts. Le Mans is a prestigious endurance race, and having such experienced and well-known drivers participating is sure to generate a lot of attention and interest. It will be interesting to see how they perform in this iconic race.

[Marcoose]

Since this thread is being resurrected … here’s a crazy idea of mine: NASCAR ought to make Le Mans one of their official Cup Series race. Perhaps modified because the logistics of transporting 36 cars, 120+ drivers, etc, across the pond are mind-boggling. Perhaps only the top 10 cars/drivers. And retuned to keep up with the GTs. It’d be massive. Both for NASCAR and Le Mans.

[NikMN]

I would watch that

[3798j]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

… here’s a crazy idea of mine

Love it.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

NASCAR ought to make Le Mans one of their official Cup Series race.

Originally Posted by 3798j

Love it.

Related - fiction/reality: excellent documentary about the making of the "Le Mans" movie and the dangers involved: