Hand, 45, has each a category victory and an total victory within the Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race. Though an skilled highway racer, NASCAR remains to be pretty new to him.
On Sunday, he was making simply his eighth profession Cup Collection begin. He was driving a part-time entry for RFK Racing, referred to as Stage 60. There was little buzz round Hand, who certified thirty eighth. However when rain hit the observe and threw the race into full chaos, Hand and the No. 60 group have been capable of capitalize in a giant method.
He was already pretty excessive within the operating order on advantage alone, however selected to remain out with getting old moist tires on a drying observe whereas a majority of the sector selected to pit. He really received the second stage, and was main within the remaining 20 minutes of the race.
Though he put up a valiant struggle, he couldn’t fend off the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Alex Bowman. Whereas Bowman went on to say victory, Hand ended up ending fourth. It was nonetheless a large accomplishment for the veteran sports activities automotive driver. His greatest Cup end earlier than Sunday was a twentieth place end at Sonoma Raceway in 2022.
Joey Hand, RFK Racing, BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Photos
“It was an important day,” stated Hand post-race. “I’m all grins. That was a number of enjoyable. It’s enjoyable when you have got a automotive that’s going ahead. RFK, this Stage 60 automotive and this group of men and gals was superior. We had such a very good time collectively. We didn’t qualify nicely however I instructed them that we have been method higher than that. I laid in mattress final night time and dreamt about driving to the entrance.
“It was a number of enjoyable. I really like these situations the place everybody has to discover a completely different method and it isn’t set in stone what you’ll do. I’ve received a number of races like that in my life. I believed there was an opportunity was going to win one other one which was going to be large. To run fourth, beginning thirty eighth, with this automotive, it was a ton of enjoyable.
“What are you able to say? We went to the entrance and I’m pleased about it.”
Hand ended up main a complete of seven laps and was the top-placing Ford driver within the ending order. Earlier this yr, RFK ran the Stage 60 entry at Sonoma with Supercars star Cam Waters, who completed thirty fifth after getting collected in a crash. Additionally they ran the automotive within the season-opening Daytona 500 with David Ragan, who completed twentieth.
