LE MANS, France — NASCAR’s past and present will share the spotlight at one of the world’s most famous racing venues this weekend as more than 30 historic stock cars take to Circuit de la Sarthe for the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear during the Le Mans Classic.
The event marks Historic Sportscar Racing’s first competition outside North America and brings a uniquely American flavor to the legendary French circuit that has hosted the 24 Hours of Le Mans for more than a century.
The Fourth of July weekend showcase arrives during the United States’ yearlong celebration of its 250th anniversary, blending American racing heritage with one of international motorsport’s most iconic stages.
Among the headline attractions is 2026 NASCAR Hall of Famer and 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, who will make his racing debut at Le Mans driving his NEMCO-prepared No. 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro, a former Chip Ganassi Racing entry from his Cup Series career.
“For me, it’s getting those juices flowing, grabbing gears, feeling the speed and the energy of the car again,” Busch said. “I have a car. Let’s go.”
Busch joins a diverse field spanning nearly six decades of NASCAR history, from a Richard Petty-inspired 1966 Plymouth Belvedere to modern-era stock cars retired from NASCAR’s national series competition.
The weekend also serves as a rolling tribute to some of the sport’s most recognizable figures.
Michael Parsons will drive the famed black No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet Lumina once campaigned by seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. with Richard Childress Racing between 1992 and 1994. Meanwhile, Victor Corda and Chris Stillwell will field former Greg Biffle-linked Ford Mustangs from the 2009 season.
For Corda, the chance to race at Le Mans with family members serving as part of his team makes the journey especially meaningful.
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” Corda said. “It’s July 4th weekend as well. It’s the 250th birthday of America. So, you get to Le Mans on the 250th birthday of America where NASCAR has become so synonymous here in the States.”
The event also celebrates a major milestone in NASCAR’s international history. Jean Algernas will drive the former Donlavey Racing No. 90 Ford Torino, one of the two stock cars that represented NASCAR during its first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 50 years ago.
That historical connection extends to NASCAR’s modern return to the French classic. JC France will pilot a Chevrolet Camaro carrying the same Garage 56 livery used by Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller during NASCAR’s widely praised exhibition entry in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The field will include other notable names as well. Former NFL lineman Scott Dolfi is entered in a former Kyle Busch Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado truck once raced by John Hunter Nemechek.
Adding a touch of pop culture, three entries will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2006 racing comedy “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” Ryan Gemmell will drive the No. 55 Perrier Chevrolet Monte Carlo associated with Sacha Baron Cohen’s Jean Girard character. Former NASCAR Busch Series champion Joe Nemechek will campaign a Cal Naughton Jr.-themed Toyota Camry, while IMSA President John Doonan will take the wheel of the iconic Wonder Bread-sponsored car made famous by Ricky Bobby.
Competition begins Friday with qualifying before three races scheduled across Saturday and Sunday. The first two races will be streamed live with English-language commentary on both the HSR and IMSA YouTube channels.
As historic NASCAR stock cars thunder down the Mulsanne Straight and through the sweeping corners of Le Mans, the weekend promises a rare meeting of American stock car culture and one of the most revered venues in world motorsport history.