For the first time since 1976, NASCAR will have a representation in the prestigious 24 hours of Le Mans. It was recently announced that Hendrick Motorsports will be fielding a specially produced Camaro Next Gen stock car in the 2023 edition of the endurance race. This was something that incited an awesome idea from the former Hendrick driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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Reacting to a report of the Hendrick-Le Mans news, Dale Jr. wrote, āAwesome idea. Canāt wait to see it. Only a matter of time before thereās an entire āNext Genā class at the Daytona 24. (Another awesome idea)ā
Awesome idea. Canāt wait to see it. Only a matter of time before thereās an entire āNext Genā class at the Daytona 24. (Another awesome idea)
.@NASCAR today is announcing that one of its new seventh-generation cars, a Hendrick Chevy, will race next year @24HoursOfLeMans in the Garage 56 position, meaning it's not part of the official competiton. š³ This is the first time that a Nascar will race at Le Mans since 1976.
The current Hendrick driver and defending Cup champion Kyle Larson announced his availability for the vacancy. Larson, who is notorious for his āall-I-want-is-to-raceā attitude, tweeted, āNeed a driver?!ā
Need a driver?!
Going global. @TeamChevy | #NextGenG56 hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/ā¦
Could Kyle Larson and Dale Earnhardt Jr take part in the 24 hrs of Le Mans?
During a pre-season test of the Next Gen car at the Daytona International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr was asked whether heād consider making a sensational return out of retirement.
To this, the NASCAR Hall of Famer made things pretty clear ā āIām old.āĀ
āIām done taking risks,ā he added.
So itās pretty unlikely that even if he is approached by his former team, Dale Earnhardt Jr wouldnāt be a part of the driving team in France next year.
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JOLIET, IL ā JULY 15: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Insurance/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, puts in his earpiece in the garage area during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing at Chicagoland Speedway on July 15, 2015 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
This leads us to another former driver, Jimmie Johnson, who could be considered as one of the drivers for the endurance race. Not only is the seven-time Cup champion still kicking it in the IndyCar, but he also took part in the 24 hours of Daytona quite recently.
Of course, thereās no reason why Kyle Larson wouldnāt be a top pick for the job, all things considered.
All in all, only time will tell which drivers Hendrick decides to go with to what certainly is, a big leap for NASCAR.