Good morning! The centenary edition of The 24 Hours of Le Mans was certainly a spectacle that had it all. With rain, wrecks and even a (heavily modified) NASCAR Cup Series car, this year was one for the history books!

But that’s not all! NASCAR also did some right turns of their own in Sonoma where Truex came out on top and an old question resurfaces…. Should Cup drivers be allowed to race in the lower series?

What was the date of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans?

*Answer at the bottom

Le Mans

Le Mans 24 - Centenary Edition

Ferrari made a triumphant return to the Le Mans 24 Hours after 58 years, snagging an outright victory 🏆 in the hundredth year of the iconic endurance race. The #51 Ferrari AF Corse team, piloted by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, brought the 499P Le Mans Hypercar to a well-deserved first place.

Guidi led the checkered flag one minute and 21 seconds ahead of the #8 Toyota GR010 HYBRID, quelling Toyota's hopes in a race of attrition. "A race of heavy attrition" that boiled down to a duel between the #51 Ferrari and the #8 Toyota. A final scare in the closing stages saw Guidi perform another power cycle, but his lead over Toyota was such that he made history for Ferrari🥇.

Garage 56 Exceeds Goals

NASCAR celebrated a triumphant return to Le Mans after nearly 50 years. This journey, over a year in the making, came to a close as seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson drove the final laps for the Garage 56 team in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday.

The team's Chevy Camaro ZL1 completed the race, finishing 39th out of 62 cars. 🏎️ Johnson dubbed the whole experience as "pretty damn good" and "just awesome".

NASCAR Chairman Jim France, still bubbling over with pride, spoke to the event's significance, “We came over here to make a good impression on the fans over here and I’m so proud we were able to run all the way."

Jenson Button, Johnson's co-driver and F1 champ, sang praises for the Hendrick Motorsports crew, "You can certainly see why they’ve won so many championships over the years."

More Le Mans

🏎️ Ford Mustang GT3 revealed at Le Mans ahead of 2024 debut

❤️ Jimmie Johnson’s “heart is full” as Garage 56 hits target at Le Mans

📸 Le Mans 24 Hour Centenary race in pictures

F1

Redbull Remains on Track with Powertrain Project

Despite Honda's surprise U-turn staying in Formula 1, Red Bull remains "100% convinced" that its investment in its own engine project, Powertrains, will pay off — even if it's cost them a fortune 💰. Team boss Christian Horner insists, “It's about taking control of our own destiny for the longer term." 🎯 He also reveals how the partnership with Ford, particularly in battery cell tech, puts them on "equal footing" with competitors 🔄.

The silver lining to this costly venture? Increased control over future car specs 🚀 and potential financial gains as engine suppliers in the future 💸. It seems that despite the "short-term pain", Red Bull is keen on steering its own course. Horner says, "100% it's been the right investment."

An Unusual Commentator Combo

Revving up a unique combo, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and actor Will Arnett 🎬 will be providing an alternate spin on F1 coverage for three races this year, kicking off with the Canadian Grand Prix 🍁🏎️ on ESPN. They'll be at the helm of "The Grandstand with Daniel Ricciardo and Will Arnett", combining race commentary with guest conversations in a friendly, engaging format.

Ricciardo enthused, "We're hoping it just feels like you're watching F1 with your mates." Kate Jackson, ESPN's VP of Production, added, "Daniel’s effervescent personality will resonate on television...and [Will will] bring the perspective of a dedicated F1 fan."

Get ready for a turbocharged take on F1 broadcasting this season 🚀📺.

More F1

🍺 Jeremy Clarkson pays up on his bet with Esteban Ocon

🔥 Canadian GP not at risk from wildfires, says F1

💰 Cost cap makes it harder to keep top talent, says Horner

NASCAR

Truex Triumphs at Sonoma

Martin Truex Jr. took the checkered flag at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, marking his 4th win at the Californian circuit 🏎️ and a significant turnaround for Toyota and JGR, who struggled last season. Truex overtook Chase Elliott with ease after a late-race pit stop, finally beating Kyle Busch by a near 3-second lead 📊.

“It took a lot of hard work," Truex said, acknowledging a remarkable transformation since last year's performance at the same race. "To be so bad here last year and come back and do that with the same car basically, it’s really unbelievable.”

Your top 5 🖐️: Truex, Busch, Joey Logano, Chris Buescher, and Elliott clinging onto fifth.

Almirola Excels in Xfinity Inaugural Event

In a twist at the NASCAR Xfinity Series' inaugural race at Sonoma, 🚗 Aric Almirola seized a strategic victory amidst Kyle Larson's mishap. While most lead-lap cars, including leader Larson, pitted, Almirola's No. 28 RSS Racing team stayed on the track. A game-changer that led Almirola to take the lead with 15 laps remaining, holding off hard-charging Larson and A.J. Allmendinger to finish 1.868 seconds clear.

Top 5 finishers: Almirola, Allmendinger, Larson, Ty Gibbs, and Parker Kligerman 🏁. Almirola savored his first win since 2017, saying, "This is so special, it's hard to explain. I love racing here." 🏆🎉

On his Turn 11 mishap, Larson candidly admitted, "I just got too greedy." 🤷‍♂️

More NASCAR

🏈 Could the NASCAR Daytona track be used by the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars?

🔧 NASCAR is making safety upgrades to its next-gen car.

IndyCar

Carpenter’s Changeup

Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar Series champion 🏆 and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner, has joined Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) 🏎️. Facing challenges with consistency, ECR is looking to tap into Hunter-Reay's deep experience to boost their performance and chart a path towards a stronger future 🚀.

"I was surprised when I got the call," said Hunter-Reay 📞, acknowledging the mid-season transition but expressing confidence in the team's abilities 💪.

ECR owner Ed Carpenter is optimistic about the new addition, "I am confident that his experience and technical abilities will be an asset," he stated 🎯.

With a focus on guiding ECR towards greater competitiveness, Hunter-Reay is ready to steer the team in the right direction 📈.

Daly Dives into Nitrocross

🏁 Conor Daly is strapping into the hot seat for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing at the Nitrocross season opener in Oklahoma this weekend, his first race since leaving Ed Carpenter Racing. 🚗💨 "The chance to test my abilities in this intense, adrenaline-fueled series is something I've been anticipating," Daly said.🎙️

Team owner Dennis Reinbold can hardly wait. 🗣️ "Conor's proven talent and racing prowess make him an ideal addition to our team," he declared.

In a playground for diverse driving styles, Daly joins a star-studded field including 5-time World Rally winner Kris Meeke, and former Race of Champions winner Benito Guerra.🏆🌟

GLOBAL MOTORSPORT

Take a trip to far away motorsport lands

🏎️ BTCC heads to Oulton Park - What’s in store for the British touring cars at the scenic track?

🏁 Capps wins at Thunder Valley, sets Bristol record - How the veteran drag racer claimed his 68th win and his seventh at the historic track.

🏆 Coulthard returns to racing with Porsche - The former F1 star’s full-time Porsche Carrera Cup Australia campaign.

🚗 Bandoh Toyota wins after late drama at Suzuka - The #19 Toyota GR Supra’s maiden SUPER GT victory after a dramatic finish.

🇨🇦 Camirand scores first win since 2018 at Chaudière - The highlights from the second round of the Canadian stock car series.

The Money Lap Podcast | Episode 6

Episode 6 is out NOW! In this episode, the duo begins with a humorous anecdote where Landon, tricked by Bubba Wallace, ends up congratulating Ryan Blaney. They also discuss the latest achievement in the Isle of Man TT, where Michael Dunlop has set a new lap record, pushing the boundaries of speed in this iconic event.

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Memes

ONBOARD OF THE DAY

Jimmie Johnson 2023 Le Mans Onboard

Take a ride through the night with Jimmie Johnson in the Garage 56 entry during the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.