The Coolest Story in Motorsports

NASCAR brings Gen 6 car to Le Mans 2023

What is the Mount Rushmore of Motorsport events worldwide? I will save you the neurons and just tell you. The four biggest races in the world each year are the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, Grand Prix of Monaco, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The pecking order of those is debatable but the faces are not. Sitting here, on June 6, 2023, three of these events are already in the books for 2023 but one still remains. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the original twice around the clock classic that takes place in France. One hundred years of history, innovation, and competition will be celebrated while the sport campaigns for another hundred years on the storied grounds of the Circuit de la Sarthe. Innovation, inclusion, and acceptance will be on full display in the race this year.

IMSA AND THE WEC ARE USING THE SAME EQUPMENT...FINALLY...

The most frustrating things being a race fan has been that the IMSA series in the United States utilized equipment that was incompatible with WEC regulations and, thusly, would not be allowed to compete at the 24 Hours of LeMans for the overall victory. Nor could WEC entries participate in the IMSA crown jewel at Daytona each January. In a much milder sense, this arrangement has been analogous to the 1996 split of open wheel racing which almost destroyed the sport. Why would you not allow the talented stars in the WEC and IMSA to compete at both events? Who doesn't want to see IndyCar and IMSA stalwart Scott Dixon go for Le Mans? Though not competing at Le Mans this year, Helio Castroneves has four Indianapolis 500 victories along with the last three victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona? Would it not be great to try and see him add a Le Mans victory to his trophy case? Frustration no more as, new for 2023, the WEC launches their Hypercar prototype program whose regulations allow the new GTP class from IMSA to qualify within the rules for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two manufacturers, Cadillac and Porsche, from IMSA take the fight to the likes of Toyota and Peugeot. It is only logical that the other GTP manufacturers Acura and BMW will not want to be left out in 2024 and beyond. How refreshing it is that the powers that be finally realized, as IndyCar did, the best thing for sport is working together, bringing stars and talent together, and competing together on the largest stages in the world.

NASCAR GOES TO LE MANS...LIGHTNING MCQUEEN STYLE!

Garage 56 has been reserved for an entry that moves the sport forward with new ideas, new innovations, and fresh perspective. It has welcomed radical ideas and new designs over the course of the last decade from the DeltaWing to the Vlision1789 Hypercar. This year, Le Mans welcomes NASCAR with a Gen 6 stock car modified for competition on that venue. The entry is managed by Hendrick Motorsports headed by Chad Knaus and driven by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, Audi factory driver Mike Rockenfeller, and Formula One world champion Jenson Button. It is impossible to escape the humor of seeing a car which, on the surface, looks like it got lost on the way to the Coca Cola 600 and ended up in France running alongside the sleek, technology forward prototypes in the top class. Few expect the Garage 56 entry to contend with the Hypercar class for the overall victory, but the fact remains that the most technologically advanced, focused forward form of Motorsport in the world saw enough value in the initiative to warrant a stock car to join them in one of the most prestigious races in the world.

Racing in America has been awesome in 2023 but IndyCar and NASCAR need to take a serious look at what IMSA and the WEC have accomplished this year because it has put the rest of the world on notice of what can be accomplished when competitive rivals work together for the good of the sport. Tune in this weekend and see all the action!