Jenson Button hails ‘amazing group’ as Garage 56 NASCAR steals spotlight at the Le Mans

Wildcard NASCAR Cup Camaro impresses at 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jenson Button's team secures memorable finish

Jenson Button hails ‘amazing group’ as Garage 56 NASCAR steals spotlight at the Le Mans

Jenson Button at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (via PlanetF1)

Former F1 driver Jenson Button lauded his team’s efforts after car No. 24 of Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) finished the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jim France, the owner of both NASCAR and IMSA, made a deal to get NASCAR’s second-year Next Gen stock car to race at Le Mans. Garage 56’s Chevrolet Camaro was classified in the ‘innovative car’ class that showcases technology.

With the Hendrick Motorsports team not being able to win Le Mans as Garage 56 was not eligible for any class victories getting car no. 24 home was the best result for his team. Jenson Button described his experience as “awesome” in a chat with Eurosport. “The crowd are here to celebrate everyone that is taking part in Le Mans but to hear the cheers for our car going past… it has been a long journey for these guys getting the car ready, lots of long hours,” he continued.

Button also hailed the efforts of the team that remodelled the Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR cup car and made it fit for an endurance race. “But what an amazing group of people,” said the Brit. “To take a Cup car and make it into an endurance car for Le Mans is staggering – the best in the business,” he stated.

Jenson Button was joined by 7-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller in car number 24. “I am proud to be working with these guys. We didn’t make any mistakes,” Button did not hold back praise for his fellow teammates. After a spectacular drive, Hendrick Motorsports celebrated their performance at the centenarian event of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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Despite the late mechanical drama, car 24 completes the 24 Hours of Le Mans

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No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1; Image credits: Autosport.com

The Hendrick Motorsports car #24, had no major issues until the 20th hour of the race, where they faced a mechanical setback. The innovative car ran as high as 27th position, well ahead of the GTE-Am class for 20 hours. With Button driving the car during that time, the car spent 21 minutes in the garage changing the gearbox and an additional 15 minutes checking things.

When car 24 finally got on track, Mike Rockenfeller was behind the wheel and set its fastest lap. Now running 40th on the track, Rockefeller handed the car over to Jimmie, who, after a few minutes in the garage, completed the 24th hour of the race. The Camaro finished 39th overall out of 62 cars in the race.

The team’s main goal was to finish ahead of the GTE field, but more importantly, it was to complete the endurance race. After tackling the mechanical hindrance, the car still completed 285 laps making NASCAR’S return to Le Mans a massive success.

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