With three of the world’s most skilled drivers preparing to enjoy their time behind the wheel of the Garage 56 Chevy Camaro ZL1 during this week's 24 hours of Le Mans, there are 56 lucky enthusiasts who will also get to call a special model inspired by this race their very own. The production 2024 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition will honor the legendary NASCAR Cup Camaro ZL1, which was a high-octane star of the show during the world's most popular test of driving skill and endurance this past weekend.
This project joins forces between NASCAR, Chevy, Goodyear, IMSA, and Hendrick Motorsports Just in time for all the thrilling racing action we look forward to each year over the summer here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis. The detailed plans for this release came together when NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France realized that there was an excellent opportunity 2 show the entire world how amazing this NASCAR next-gen model is.
Garage 56 was introduced at Le Mans 11 years ago as a single-entry class that is reserved for the most innovative vehicles out there, and it was the perfect opportunity for a NASCAR Cup series car to show its stuff during this legendary 24-hour test. Longtime Chevy partner Hendrick Motorsports was selected to head up the team, and a very esteemed driver list soon followed. Jimmy Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Cup series champion, Jenson Button was the proud Formula One world champion in 2009, and Mike Rockenfeller boasts multiple wins at the famed Le Mans event under his belt.
Goodyear is the official tread-toting manufacturer of these 6th generation Camaro greats, offering up their signature Eagle tires to take on the many twists, turns, and heart-pounding straightaways during the day-long spectacle. The expert design assistance came from Chevy’s motorsports competition engineering team, who has more than twenty years of trial and error from the Le Mans Corvette decision to bring to the table. These bona fide experts also helped with the all-important audible aspect of the Garage 56 Camaro, going to great lengths to produce its one-of-a-kind and raspy R07 Small Block V8 roar.
The job of fully converting the cup Camaro ZL1 to the Garage 56 race car required extensive aerial treatment, a standout livery, and new specific functional lighting. It was important to the entire team that the Garage 56 Edition feels like an exhilarating race car while not looking too outlandishly athletic during the everyday drive. Each model will come with a NASCAR windshield header decal, white Goodyear front wheel arch decals, and unique door decals sporting the number 24. Extraordinary and breathtaking power is sourced from the 650-horsepower LT4 V-8 under the hood, and the 56 memorable models will begin production later this year at GM’s Lansing Grand River facility in Michigan.
Le Mans is an ideal and absolutely legendary place to show off this special Garage 56 Edition, which is conquered by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours of running. The race is such a monumental challenge because teams must balance the need for speed with the car's mechanical ability to function well for an entire day straight without any pitfalls. The layout of the track demands that successful contestants boast excellent aerodynamics and stability at high speeds. With careful management of stints and placement, a team of just two drivers can slog out this demanding and illustrated challenge that includes both permanent track sections and public roads.