Mike Rockenfeller looks on during a press conference announcing the NASCAR Garage 56 driver lineup for entry in 2023 Le mans before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 28, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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NASCAR: Rockenfeller to replace Gragson in No. 42 Camaro

Posted by AR1 staff

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ has signed two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller of Germany to drive the No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

He will be in the car for the Aug. 13 NASCAR Cup Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Road Course and the Aug. 20 event at Watkins Glen International.

Drivers Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, and Jenson Button pose for a photo after a press conference announcing the NASCAR Garage 56 driver lineup for entry in 2023 Le Mans before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 28, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Drivers Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, and Jenson Button pose for a photo after a press conference announcing the NASCAR Garage 56 driver lineup for entry in 2023 Le Mans before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 28, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Just hours after a fifth-place finish in the GTP class at Road America in the IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar series, Rockenfeller got the call from fellow NASCAR Garage 56 teammate Jimmie Johnson this week to assist the team for the two upcoming road course events. Johnson and Rockenfeller competed in the IMSA series together for Action Express for two seasons and were both an integral part of the Garage 56 project with Hendrick Motorsports in which they completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June along with former Formula One driver Jenson Button.

Noah Gragson
With no return date set, the team has been reaching out to drivers about filling Noah Gragson’s seat for upcoming races. The team had no additional update beyond the next two weeks and is in discussions with Gragson about his future with the team.

This will be the first time the veteran sports car racer will compete on the 2.439-mile road course at the storied “Brickyard”; however, the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona winner has made two starts in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022 – at Watkins Glen and at the Charlotte ROVAL. In addition to winning twice at Le Mans, “Rocky” is a three-time winner in the NASCAR Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series and won the 2013 DTM championship.

“After racing with Jimmie in IMSA for two years and together in the Garage 56 program not only were we teammates, but we are now great friends,” said Rockenfeller. “To get to race for him in the NASCAR Cup Series for LEGACY M.C. with him as a co-owner is such a true honor. It’s going to be a huge challenge as I have never raced at Indy. I was dreaming about being in a Cup Series car again and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I will try my best in this short timeframe to come together with the team and have a great race in Indy.”

Johnson is excited to welcome his sports car teammate to the Club.

“Rocky and I were teammates and helped develop the G56 program,” said Johnson. “I couldn’t think of a better person to assist our Club in this tough situation. These back-to-back road course events will be great for Rocky from the technical side as they will bring out his expertise. Rocky is extremely knowledgeable and talented, and I know he will get us the best results possible.”

The NASCAR Cup Series’ Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2:30 pm ET airing on NBC, MRN Radio and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio channel 90.

— Legacy Motor Club —