In American motorsport, and more specifically on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) calendar, the Daytona 500 is akin to the Super Bowl in the U.S. But, unlike the 24 Hours of Le Mans, set to close out the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) this season, the Cup Series calendar comprised of 36 rounds held between February and November opens with the most prestigious race of the season.

Only one driver has managed to win both races: Texan A.J. Foyt (1967 24 Hours of Le Mans and 1972 Daytona 500). Foyt's win record also includes two major endurance races held on American soil, the 12 Hours of Sebring (1985) and the Rolex at Daytona (1983-1985), as well as four victories at the Indianapolis 500 (1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977) on the single-seaters side.

Michael Waltrip is the last Daytona 500 winner (2001 and 2003) to take the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His participation dates back to 2011 for the joint-entry in the LMGTE Pro class by his own Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR team and AF Corse, Ferrari's main partner.

"When you know about car racing, you know about Le Mans," says the younger brother of Darrell Waltrip, three-time NASCAR champion and 1989 Daytona 500 winner. "I remember an amazing video where I saw 1920s-era cars at the 24 Hours circuit. I had read a book about Henry Ford talking about his desire to go. What's interesting to me about Le Mans is being a complete unknown there. I can mingle with fans, check out the cars, and I really love it."

In 2011, in NASCAR the American drove a Toyota Camry and at Le Mans he shared the wheel of a Ferrari 458 Italia with his fellow countryman Robert Kauffman and Portuguese driver Rui Aguas: "The Ferrari was a kind of small for a big guy like me (Michael Waltrip measures 1m96 in height, Ed.), but it wasn't all that different from NASCAR stock cars in terms of power, though they are about two times heavier."

The first participation ended in a retirement, but AF Corse-Waltrip's Le Mans adventure continued in 2012, that time in the LMGTE Am class. Michael Waltrip did not compete, but one of his NASCAR team's drivers, Brian Vickers, joined Kauffman and Aguas.

"Michael had told us how extraordinary the 24 Hours of Le Mans was," explains the son of Clyde Vickers, himself a former driver and automobile equipment supplier. "I really liked the circuit, the high speeds and the turns. It's probably the longest straight I've ever driven! I will say I prefer the Ferrari to the Toyota Camry. It wasn't as fast but had better grip, better tires, better braking, steering wheel gears and it was a lot lighter...quite a few things that help a lot overall (smile, Ed.)!"

One of the most stunning moments of the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans is credited to Brian Vickers. On Sunday morning, he was at the wheel when his flat left front tire caught fire. With remarkable composure, he managed to return the car to the pit and stop in front of a marshal post equipped with a fire extinguisher. After the fire was put out and repairs were made, the #61 Ferrari crossed the finish line in sixth place in the LMGTE Am class (31st overall). "In the world of NASCAR, we all know about the 24 Hours of Le Mans of course. But our schedules are so full it's difficult to follow it as much as we want," admits Brian Vickers.

Jeff Gordon - Daytona 500 (1997, 1999 and 2005) and Rolex 24 at Daytona (2017) winner as well as four-time NASCAR champion - has not been shy about wanting to come out of his sporting retirement (he is currently a consultant on TV) to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A legendary race that continues to fascinate drivers across all disciplines.

 

PHOTOS (Copyright - ACO/Archives): Top, the Ferrari driven by Michael Waltrip at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. Gallery below (from left to right), Michael Waltrip (at left) at the 2011 24 Hours autograph session, AF Corse Waltrip's Ferrari that finished in the top 10 in the LMGTE Am class with at its wheel Brian Vickers during Srutineering at the 2012 24 Hours.