RFK Racing announce 7-time NASCAR Cup Series driver’s entry at #Stage60 in Chicago

Le Mann Class winner Joey Hand is set to make his return to the NASCAR Cup Series to compete in next month’s Chicago Street race with RFK Racing. Hand will be the latest driver to join RFK Racing’s “#Stage60 program," the team’s third entry, which competes on a part-time basis.

The organization co-owned by NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski announced on Wednesday (June 12) that Joey Hand, a veteran racer, will drive the #60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse with a primary sponsorship from BuildSubmarines.com. The Chicago Street Race will be held on Sunday, July 7.

Joey Hand is a veteran Ford factory driver who is known for his road racing skills. However, he has enough experience running on a street course as well. The Sacramento-California native has won the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona, the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring, the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Star Mazda Series title in 1999.

In a team release, expressing his feelings on joining RFK Racing at Chicago Street Course, Hand said (viatobychristie.com):

“Saying I’m excited is an understatement. To be part of the #Stage60 program is going to be awesome. I’ve gotten close with the RFK team while working with them on the simulator over the past three years and have a ton of respect for what they are doing.”

David Ragan made the first start in the #Stage60 entry in the season opener at Daytona, and 12-time Supercars winner Cam Waters competed last weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Ragan secured a 20th-place finish while Waters came home 35th. Hand will now aim to earn the best finish of the season in the #60 entry in Chicago.

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RFK Racing’s new entrant Joey Hand loves street racing

The 45-year-old California-born driver will make his first NASCAR Cup Series start since the 2022 season. He has seven starts in the series so far, and all of them came for Rick Ware Racing. His career-best finish of P20 came at Sonoma Raceway in 2022.

Hand’s extensive experience in street racing makes Chicago a perfect race for his NASCAR return. He admitted the high level of competition in NASCAR. Expressing his love for street racing, Hand said (via team release).

“I love street racing and have done a lot of it in my career, so Chicago is right in my wheelhouse. NASCAR is some of the toughest competition I’ve been up against and there’s nothing like some good street fighting to put on a show for the fans.”