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Button: Completing Le Mans is 'staggering' feat for NASCAR entry

Jenson Button hailed the "staggering" achievement by Hendrick Motorsports to complete last weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours with its Garage 56 NASCAR entry.

The #24 Chevrolet Camara ZL1 established itself from the outset as a fan favourite at the Circuit de la Sarthe and even more so when the mean machine proved comfortably faster in qualifying than all its GTE rivals.

Steered by an all-star crew comprised of Button, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller, the innovative contender ran as high as 27th in the race and well clear of the entire GTE field at that point.

An uneventful night despite the difficult conditions augured well for the final stage of the event but a drive line issue with four hours left on the clock forced Hendrick's crews to change the Camaro's gearbox, a setback that cost the team an hour and 21 minutes.

©Instagram/HendrickMotorsports

The late drama was unfortunate and pushed the car down the ranks, but that took nothing away from Button's "awesome" experience.

"It was awesome," the 2009 F1 world champion told Eurosport after the race.

"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.

Read also: Leclerc would love to 'tick the Le Mans box' with Ferrari

"But what an amazing group of people. To produce what they have with this car, to take a Cup car and make it into an endurance car for Le Mans is staggering - the best in the business.

"I am proud to be working with these guys. We didn't make any mistakes.

"We still want to push the car hard but it was a car that was reasonably easy to drive, it is forgiving. Drive it hard, you do go slower, but it really is a wonderful car to drive."

©Instagram/HendrickMotorsports

The car's final stint was entrusted to an ecstatic Johnson.

"My heart’s full," said the NASCAR legend commenting on an unforgettable experience.

"All the reasons we came here with NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear, to come here with so many different faces and have this experience has just been awesome.

"My bucket’s full. I’m really happy!"

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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.