Garage 56 NASCAR hits Le Mans target ‘fulfilled’

Johnson crossed the finish line in 39th place in a modified NASCAR Cup Next Generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 run by Hendrick Motorsports, completing 285 laps of the 8.4-mile circuit.

The car climbed up to 27th overall, but suffered a driveline failure on Sunday morning, necessitating lengthy repairs and falling back.

Mr Johnson, who was in the car, said he was “fulfilled”. Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller. “All the reasons we know are coming here with NASCAR, Hendrick, Chevrolet and Goodyear.

“A lot of the people who work here have been on different teams that I have won races and championships with. was.

“The welcome of the fans, whether it was during the parade or now on the cooldown lap.

“My bucket is full. I’m really happy.”

The one-off entry into the 100th anniversary Le Mans event marked NASCAR’s 75th anniversary, with chairman Jim France bringing two stock cars to Le Mans for the 1976 race. It was inspired by his father, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.

“It was unbelievable,” said France. “It took thousands of hours of hard work by hundreds of people to make this happen, and it was absolutely incredible to see the team, the pit crew and everyone perform all week.

“Hopefully my dad and brother are somewhere up there looking down and smiling, but when we started, the goal was to finish the race, not the last one, but the last one. And we have achieved it.”

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which built and ran the car, added: I definitely want us to come here and not fall through our noses. That’s what I was worried about.

“From the beginning, Chad [Knaus, who oversaw the project] and Greg [Ives, the crew chief], said I have to do this right. No expense is spared.

“Our NASCAR team can race whatever they want.