Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR’s Garage 56 entry was the show-stopper at the 24 Hours of Le Mans centenary. The #24 Camaro ZL1 was in a league of its own, easily blistering past the GT2-spec cars. While the Garage 56 entry slaughtered the field, ‌a trans-axel malfunction past the 20-hour mark ended its dominance. Finishing the grueling endurance race in the 39th spot after the mechanical setback, NASCAR’s Le Mans performance exceeded expectations. Rick Hendrick‘s Garage 56 entry garnered unparalleled media coverage and attention worldwide, and NASCAR executives were more than pleased.

With this newfound success, hopes for a new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to join hands with NASCAR might just come to fruition.

Speculations abound as talks of a new OEM in town gather momentum

Once boasting a wider range of OEMs, such as Buick, Dodge, Pontiac, and Plymouth, NASCAR currently is home to just three OEMs: Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford. For more than a decade, NASCAR has been trying to find a fourth OEM to take part in their races. All efforts to add another OEM have been in vain, until now. Post the historic feat at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it is being believed that HMS’s Garage 56 entry has ruffled enough feathers for manufacturers to view NASCAR as a worthy investment. 

After successfully completing the 24 Hours, NASCAR execs met with car manufacturers present at Le Mans. This development has brought forth speculations of a new OEM joining hands with NASCAR in the near future. Speaking with SBJ’s Adam Stern, IMSA President John Doonan said, “Maybe another OEM would see the reaction of the audience and see NASCAR as a worthy investment for their marketing programs.” 

Once referred to as a dying sport, the appearance at Le Mans has breathed fresh life into NASCAR’s popularity. NASCAR’s viewership took a massive leap last year, averaging roughly three million views per race, far more than their numbers from 2018 to 2021. Even though it’s highly unlikely for any OEM to jump on NASCAR’s bandwagon straightaway, this idea cannot be disregarded altogether. The reception from the audience and media has been unmatched for HMS’s Le Mans feat, and OEMs will not want to miss out on capitalizing on NASCAR’s success.

Watch This Story: NASCAR’s Le Mans Debutant In 1976 Serves Rick Hendrick And Richard Childress A Sharp Reminder Of Their Old Promise

The speculation of a new OEM partaking in NASCAR has fans all riled up. Many have taken to Reddit, expressing how would Ferrari perform on NASCAR’s proving ground, giving birth to a hilarious new rivalry.

Ferrari vs Chevy: Reddit fans give rise to a hilarious new NASCAR rivalry

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Even though Garage 56’s Camaro ZL1 posted the fastest lap times, it wasn’t eligible to win any trophies. Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans after almost 60 years, it was Ferrari that bagged its tenth Le Mans win—its first after 1965. As the speculation of a new OEM in NASCAR spreads, fans couldn’t help but consider what Ferrari and Chevrolet’s NASCAR rivalry could be like.

Commenting on Reddit, some fans hilariously commented, “Ferrari vs Chevy movie coming soon” and “Imagine Ferrari joining NASCAR just to beat Chevy lol that’ll be surreal.” Here are some of the reactions from fans. 

“Redbull we’ve accepted, but Chevy?!? THIS MEANS WAR! -The ghost of Enzo Ferrari”

“Watch Ferrari build their first pickup just so they have something to field in the truck series.”

“Ferrari watched their 488 get gapped by a Camaro, and now they’re out for blood.”

However, a few fans on Twitter were skeptical about a new OEM entering NASCAR anytime soon.

Will Ferrari ever shift its focus from its current European races is still up for debate. What do you think about Ferrari joining NASCAR?

NASCAR & Hendrick Motorsports Succeed in Leaving a Lasting Impact With Glorious Le Mans Feat Despite Drama Kicking In, As Proud Fans Come Together in Admiration