SEBRING, Fla. — NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports have partnered on an effort to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans subsequent 12 months with a modified model of its new Subsequent Gen automobile.

The collaborative effort introduced Thursday at Sebring Worldwide Raceway seeks the “Storage 56” entry, which was created in 2012 as a particular single-entry class reserved for modern automobiles. The Storage 56 entry permits for the testing of recent applied sciences, creativity and innovation with out claiming a spot on the normal beginning grid.

NASCAR nonetheless wants an invite from l’Car Membership de l’Ouest, the organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, nevertheless it appeared a formality primarily based on the magnitude of Thursday’s announcement. Pierre Fillon, president of ACO, participated within the occasion alongside Jim France, chairman of each NASCAR and IMSA.

“Storage 56 is a particular alternative at Le Mans since this race has been a frontrunner in technological course of for the auto trade over its practically century lengthy existence,” Fillon stated. “When the ACO receives an utility for a Storage 56 program, we start by speaking with designers, staff companions, and suppliers as a way to set efficiency parameters such that this system might be profitable for everybody concerned.

“We are going to proceed to work with NASCAR and all their companions as they work towards their proposed 2023 Storage 56 venture.”

NASCAR final participated at Le Mans, probably the most prestigious sports activities automobile race on the planet, in 1976 when collection founder Invoice France reduce a deal to convey two automobiles to the endurance race within the newly-created Grand Worldwide class. Hershel McGriff each owned and drove the Dodge Charger that entered the race, whereas Junie Donlavey despatched a Ford Torino pushed by Richard Brooks and Dick Hutcherson.

The 2023 entry can be a modified model of the Subsequent Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race automobile. NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, IMSA and Goodyear all labored on the venture, with technical components of the automobile and the staff’s driver lineup anticipated at a later date.

The Subsequent Gen debuted this season as NASCAR’s latest Cup automobile.

“From the early days of NASCAR, it was vital to my father that we performed a visual position in worldwide motorsports, and there’s no greater stage than the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” Jim France stated.

“In partnering with Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear, now we have the winningest staff, producer and tire in NASCAR historical past. We sit up for showcasing the know-how within the Subsequent Gen automobile and placing ahead a aggressive entry within the historic race.”

France in 2020 was a part of an announcement between IMSA and the ACO on new technical laws for the highest prototype class that makes IMSA’s high class eligible to compete at Le Mans in 2023.

Hendrick Motorsports, in the meantime, final 12 months began a staff that races the 4 endurance races on the IMSA schedule. Chad Knaus, winner of seven Cup championships and now Hendrick’s vice chairman of competitors, would be the Storage 56 program supervisor.

“Collaborating in one of many actually iconic occasions in auto racing and representing NASCAR and Chevrolet on the world stage is a privilege,” Rick Hendrick stated. “Jim deserves super credit score for having the imaginative and prescient for the venture, and we thank him for trusting our group with the accountability.

“Though Storage 56 is a ‘class of 1,’ we’re opponents and have each intention of placing a daring product on the racetrack for the followers at Le Mans. It is a humbling alternative – one that can current an thrilling problem over the subsequent 15 months – however our staff is prepared.”