RFK Racing's #Stage60 "Open" entry, which completed it's second NASCAR Cup Series event of the 2024 season this past weekend at Sonoma Raceway, will return for an additional start at the Chicago Street Course on July 7.
Joey Hand, a veteran road racer, will pilot the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, which will be sponsored by BuildSubmarines.com. Hand is chomping at the bit to get to work in the No. 60 machine.
“Saying I’m excited is an understatement,” Hand said in a team release. “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."
The 45-year-old Ford factory driver has a very established resume when it comes to road racing. The 2011 24 Hours of Daytona, 2012 12 Hours of Sebring, and 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans winner has experience on street courses as well.
“I love street racing and have done a lot of it in my career so Chicago is right in my wheelhouse," Hand explained. "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.”
The Chicago Street Race is a unique opportunity for BuildSubmarines.com and the BlueForge Alliance as it gives the non-profit a chance to showcase the opportunity of skilled trades front and center in a huge market.
“BuildSubmarines.com racing through the streets of Chicago puts thousands of skilled trades career opportunities in front of massive in-person and television audiences,” said Kiley Wren, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BlueForge Alliance. “It represents yet another incredible opportunity for fans to learn about these jobs and the purpose behind them. We are grateful to work alongside RFK Racing, as part of their Stage 60 program, and we thank Joey Hand for getting behind the wheel of the BuildSubmarines.com ‘Car With a Mission’ for this event.”
Hand has made seven NASCAR Cup Series starts in the past, all of them coming for Rick Ware Racing. Hand scored his career-best finish of 20th at Sonoma Raceway while piloting the No. 15 Ford Mustang for RWR in 2022. Hand led the field for two laps during the 2022 event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
David Ragan scored a 20th-place finish for the #Stage60 entry in the season-opening Daytona 500, while Cam Waters came home 35th after suffering suspension damage in a crash last weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Hand will look to put up the best finish of the season in the #Stage60 entry in the Chicago Street Race.
Photo Credit: Aaron Giffin, TobyChristie.com
