NASCAR reveals race livery for Garage 56 Le Mans 24 Hours entry

The Garage 56 project, which is anticipated to be approved for entry by l'Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) in the coming weeks, is a partnership between NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear.

The systems and components of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 are largely unchanged from the Next Gen racecar that competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. Among the changes made to prepare the car for an endurance race are functioning headlights and taillights, a larger fuel cell, carbon brake discs and specially-designed Goodyear Eagle racing tires.

“From the beginning of this project, it was important to us that the car we bring to Le Mans is a true NASCAR stock car,” said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “While there have been some adjustments to allow the car to compete in a 24-hour endurance race, fans in Le Mans will be treated to the full NASCAR experience.”

Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Photo by: Hendrick Motorsports

On-track testing for the project began last August at Road Atlanta with two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mike Rockenfeller, who will be joined by seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and 2009 Formula 1 world champion Button behind the wheel at the upcoming 100th anniversary of the world-famous endurance race.

Button said: “I think people should see NASCAR for what it really is, which is what they’ll get to experience. I'm really looking forward to seeing the other competitors and seeing the fans' opinion on the car and what we are trying to achieve.”

Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Photo by: Hendrick Motorsports

Speaking about its driver lineup, project leader Chad Knaus believes he has a “perfect mixture”.

“When it started we wanted to have guys or gals who we considered to be elite,” he said. “We talked to a lot of different drivers, from a lot of different genres, and ending up where we did is a perfect mixture that you could ever ask for to go drive this thing and represent NASCAR at Le Mans.”

The test car and its previous iteration have logged more than 3,600 miles at six separate tests at Road Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway, Goodyear Proving Grounds, Carolina Motorsports Park, Sebring International Raceway and Daytona International Speedway.

Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Photo by: Hendrick Motorsports

NASCAR Next Gen Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 technical specifications:

Length:                                     195.4” / 4,961 mm

Width:                                       78.6” / 1,996.4 mm

Height:                                      50.4” / 1,280 mm

Wheelbase:                               110” / 2,794 mm

Weight:                                     2,960 lbs / 1,342 kg

Spoiler:                                     6” / 152.4 mm

Body:                                        2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 composite symmetric body featuring integral flap systems, camera mounts and dive planes

Underwing:                               Full carbon undertray w/Le Mans-spec splitter, engine panel and rear diffuser

Chassis:                                   Steel tubing w/bolt-on front and rear clips and front/rear bumpers

Transaxle:                                 5-speed paddle shift sequential with ramp and plate differential

Suspension (Front and rear): Double wishbone billet aluminum control arms w/adjustable coil over shock absorbers

Steering:                                   Rack and pinion

Wheels:                                    Dry Fronts – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 12.5” / 462 mm x 317.5 mm

                                                Dry Rears – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 13.5” / 462 mm x 342.9 mm

                                                Wets – BBS forged aluminum 18” x 12” / 462 mm x 304.8 mm

Tires:                                        Dry Fronts – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 365/35R18 (day / night)

                                                Dry Rears – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 380/35R18 (day / night)

                                                Wets – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 365/35R18 (inter / full)

                                                ** Cured in-tire, passive TPMS system, Powered by Goodyear Sightline

Brakes:                                     Six piston monobloc front calipers / four piston monobloc rear calipers – heavy duty carbon disc packages

Front Brake Rotors:                 15” x 1.57” / 381 mm x 40 mm carbon disc w/titanium bell

Rear Brake Rotors:                  14” x 1.26” / 355.6 mm x 32 mm carbon disc w/titanium bell

Engine:                                     NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet R07 cast iron small block V8

Engine displacement:             358 cu in / 5.8 L

Induction system:                    Naturally aspirated

Fuel system:                             Fuel injection

Oil system:                               Dry sump

Engine cooling:                        Air exits radiator through hood louvers

Exhaust:                                   Split-side exit exhaust

Fuel cell:                                   32 gallons / 127 L (Total Excellium Racing 100)