The No. 24 Hendrick F1 Flows (HMS) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 showcased a strong performance at the Le Mans 24, reaching as high as 27th place and leading the GTE-Am field after 20 hours of racing.
Until that point, the car had encountered no significant issues or incidents. However, unfortunate circumstances struck after twenty hours and nine minutes of intense competition, resulting in a major mechanical setback.
Chad Knaus, Hendrick’s VP of Competition, provided insight into the situation, stating, “We are currently addressing a drive line issue, and our team is working diligently to rectify it. Our primary objective remains to complete the race.”
During this unfortunate turn of events, Jenson Button was piloting the car, which had completed 254 laps thus far. The team spent one hour and 21 minutes in the garage, meticulously replacing the gearbox. Following an out lap, they invested an additional 15 minutes double-checking all systems.
Once they rejoined the race, Mike Rockenfeller assumed control of the Camaro. He swiftly demonstrated that the car was operating flawlessly, achieving its fastest race lap with an impressive time of 3:50.512.
Now positioned in 40th place overall, trailing all other competitors still in the race, Rockenfeller eventually handed over the driving duties to Jimmie Johnson, who would bring the car to the finish line. After a few more minutes in the garage, Johnson embarked on the final stint of this grueling 24-hour endurance event.
While the team aspired to surpass the GTE field, their primary focus remained on completing the race. Despite the late dramatic setback, they achieved precisely that, crossing the finish line in 39th place overall, having completed 285 laps.
Both Johnson and Button contributed 97 laps each, while Rockenfeller successfully completed 91 laps behind the wheel.
Button Commends Incredible Team Effort
Reflecting on the race, Button expressed his admiration, stating, “It was an incredible experience. The spectators were here to celebrate all the participants in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but witnessing their cheer for our car as we passed by… It has been a long journey for our team to prepare the car for Le Mans, requiring countless hours of hard work. The results achieved with this car, transforming it from a Cup car into an endurance machine for Le Mans, are truly remarkable. The team behind this accomplishment is undoubtedly the best in the business, and I’m immensely proud to be working alongside them.”
Button emphasized the team’s flawless performance, saying, “We, as drivers, avoided any mistakes, but we also pushed the car to its limits. It is a car that is relatively forgiving and easy to drive. Even when driving aggressively, although slower, it remains an exceptional vehicle to handle.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about resilience
Q: How did the No. 24 Hendrick F1 Flows Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 perform at the Le Mans 24?
A: The No. 24 Hendrick F1 Flows Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 showed a strong performance at the Le Mans 24, reaching as high as 27th place and leading the GTE-Am field after 20 hours of racing.
Q: What mechanical setback did the car encounter during the race?
A: After twenty hours and nine minutes of racing, the car experienced a drive line issue, which required repairs. The team worked to address the problem and get the car back on track.
Q: Did the No. 24 Hendrick F1 Flows Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 manage to finish the race?
A: Yes, despite the mechanical setback, the team’s goal to finish the race was accomplished. They crossed the finish line in 39th place overall, completing 285 laps in the 24-hour endurance event.
Q: How did the drivers handle the race?
A: Jenson Button, Mike Rockenfeller, and Jimmie Johnson were the drivers of the No. 24 Hendrick F1 Flows Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Each driver contributed a significant number of laps to the race, with Button and Johnson completing 97 laps each, while Rockenfeller drove for 91 laps.
Q: What was the sentiment of the team and drivers after the race?
A: The team and drivers expressed pride and admiration for the performance and resilience of the No. 24 Hendrick F1 Flows Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. They acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the team in preparing the car for Le Mans and commended their ability to transform it into a competitive endurance vehicle.
3 comments
wow, No. 24 hendrick f1 flows chevy camaro had a gud run at le mans! high as 27th and leading GTE-am. then, bam, got a mechanical prob. But they fixd it and finishd the race. resiliance ftw!
No. 24 Hendrick F1 chevy camaro is a beast! had sum trouble during le mans, but they neva gave up. pushd thru and finishd strong. those drivrs rocK!
Le mans is tough, man! No. 24 Hendrick chevy camaro had a setback, but the team fixd it and made it to the end. What an epic race! Hats off to the whole crew! #EnduranceRacing