Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, and 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike “Rocky” Rockenfeller will be the drivers for the joint Rick Hendrick/Chevrolet Garage 56 Project at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The lineup was announced Saturday before the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the 100th anniversary of the sports car classic happening on June 10-11.
The Garage 56 entry is a collaboration between NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, and Goodyear based on a modified version of the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race car.
“Since the beginning of the Garage 56 project, it has been our goal to partner with the top racers in the world to represent us in Le Mans,” said Jim France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. “The lineup of Jimmie, ‘Rocky’ and Jenson is everything we could have dreamed of — three elite drivers who have won at the highest levels of motorsports worldwide. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of NASCAR, we are honored to have these world-class champions help bring the sights and sounds of a NASCAR race car to fans in Le Mans, and across the world.”
Johnson, who retired from NASCAR full-time in 2020 and recently decided not to race full-time on the IndyCar circuit, is thrilled by the opportunity.
“I’m super thrilled,” Johnson said in a news release. “It’s been at the top of my bucket list to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans someday. To have this opportunity come — and to partner with everybody and this driver lineup — is truly an incredible opportunity and one that I am thankful to be a part of.”
The NASCAR world had some strong reactions to the news about the Garage 56 driver selection.
The Garage 56 entry is one of the most unequivocally fun things NASCAR has done in recent memory.
Excited to see such a unique driver lineup. Can’t wait to see the finished car and how it run at Le Mans.
— Aaron Bearden (@aaronbearden93) January 28, 2023
Oh my goodness what a lineup! https://t.co/HxdYxVwhTf
— Anthony Bruno (@KolhirasCorner) January 28, 2023
Congratulations @JimmieJohnson, can’t wait to see you on track at @24hoursoflemans! https://t.co/SgMjTLfv7p
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) January 28, 2023
What a great project to be a small part of. Looking forward to working with the great people and drivers behind the #NextGenG56 project. https://t.co/c3mMoZATA3
— Greg Ives (@Ives_Greg) January 28, 2023
NASCAR at Le Mans, with a mega line-up. What a time to be alive.pic.twitter.com/w6n92BUSI6
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) January 28, 2023
[NASCAR]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.