Fans visiting the American SpeedFest 10, Powered by Lucas Oil at Brands Hatch will be able to see NASCAR’s Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 racer in person, straight from its outing at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Brands Hatch and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series announced that NASCAR’s Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 racer is set to be displayed for the fans visiting the American SpeedFest 10, Powered by Lucas Oil on 17-18 June.
The Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which is set to be the exact same model that will be raced in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be featured as a static display in the SpeedFest’s fan zone.
“American SpeedFest 10, powered by Lucas Oil, strengthens its ties with NASCAR following confirmation that the NASCAR Next Gen Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be displayed at Brands Hatch on June 17-18,” as announced on the official release made earlier today.
“This exciting attraction at the SpeedFest programme comes in addition to a thrilling on-track line-up headlined by the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, with NASCAR demonstrations and a curated selection of themed support races.”
“The Garage 56 exhibit will feature the car on static display in a bespoke fan zone at SpeedFest 10, with spectators able to take a closer look at this unique machine.”
NASCAR’s Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, a project that has been in the works for more than a year, will finally make its competitive debut on 10-11 June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the sport’s celebration of its 75th anniversary.
The Garage 56 entry is set to become the first NASCAR stock cars to enter Le Mans since 1976, when Junie Donlavey’s No. 90 Ford Torino and Herschel McGriff’s No. 4 Dodge Charger took part in the great endurance race.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, and two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans overall winner Mike Rockenfeller share driving duties behind the wheel of the Camaro, which will be entered by Hendrick Motorsport using the team’s iconic No. 24 number as its entry number.
To make the car suited for Le Mans, the Garage 56 example featured many changes from the original Cup Series Gen 7 specifications. The addition of aerodynamic appendages, larger spoiler, headlights, larger rear wheels, Le Mans-specification splitter and diffusers, and 500 pounds of weight reduction are among the changes made for NASCAR’s trip to Le Mans.
Jerome Galpin, EuroNASCAR’s founder, President and CEO and Chad Siegler, NASCAR’s Chief International Officer, were both excited at the opportunity that has been presented for the American SpeedFest. SpeedFest organizers MotorSport Vision had previously announced that it will be receiving title sponsorship from Lucas Oil for its anniversary year.
“It’s an honor to bring the Garage 56 NASCAR car to the British audience which has been one of the best for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series all over the past ten years,” said Galpin in the official announcement.
“The car and its participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans are the perfect tools to put NASCAR even more under the spotlight in Europe and showcase the direct link with the NASCAR official European series. I am sure the fans will once again enjoy the show provided by EuroNASCAR: emotions, close door-to-door racing, unparalleled access to teams and drivers in a unique American atmosphere.”
“The American SpeedFest at Brands Hatch regularly attracts tens of thousands of race fans from across Europe and this year’s 10th anniversary edition will be no different,” said Siegler in the official announcement.
“We’re excited to offer our fans the opportunity to see the NASCAR Next Gen Garage 56 car in person immediately following the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The project has been an important initiative for NASCAR to bring the sights and sounds of our sport to one of the most prestigious races in the world.”
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