The big bore sound of NASCAR shakes up Le Mans

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It's perhaps an oddity sitting on the opposite side of the cultural spectrum at Le Mans, but the event's Garage 56 NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro is already a favorite among the fans.

The Hendrick Motorsport's entered contender owes its presence at this year's centennial edition of the endurance classic in the Sarthe to the close ties between IMSA and the ACO which invited the car to fill its Garage 56 special class for innovative machinery.

Steered by NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button and former Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, the big bore machine exudes a captivating – and loud – blend of American pride and nostalgia that bridges the gap between two distinct motorsport cultures: NASCAR and endurance racing.

In qualifying on Wednesday, the #24 Le Mans novelty sat nicely in between the LMP2 and GTE classes, but 2 seconds faster than the most rapid GT car!

And for good measure, Hendrick Motorsports' expert crews earned an early victory on Tuesday afternoon by topping the Pit Stop Challenge in the GTE category where the team was classified for this event.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.