RFK Racing has already entered two full-time competitors with team co-owner Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, but Hand will probably be the last to get behind the wheel of his 'Stage 60', the No. 60 Ford, which is able to compete part-time.
David Ragan drove the automotive within the Daytona 500, and 12-time Supercars winner Cam Waters took the wheel for last weekend's race at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.
BuildSubmarines.com, which has partnered with the “Stage 60” initiative at Daytona and Sonoma, will again sponsor Hand's race in Chicago.
Hand – currently a Ford factory driver in multiple sports automotive racing disciplines – is a former Star Mazda Series champion, co-winner of the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona, 2012 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans Class LMGTE Pro in 2016.
“To say I'm excited is an understatement,” Hand, 45, said. “Being a component of Stage 60 will probably be amazing. Having worked with them on the simulator for the past three years, I even have change into near the RFK team and have great respect for what they do.
“I like street racing and have done a number of it in my profession, so Chicago is correct in my wheelhouse. NASCAR is one in every of the hardest competitions I've ever faced, and there's nothing higher than an excellent street fight to placed on a show for the fans.
Hand made his NASCAR debut in 2021 for Rick Ware Racing, driving the No. 52 automotive on the Charlotte Roval.
He then rode for RWR in six races in 2022, all on road courses (Circuit of the Americas, Sonoma, Road America, Indianapolis Road Course, Watkins Glen and Roval). His best result was twentieth place in Sonoma.
Last July, three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen became the primary driver in over 60 years to win a Cup race on his debut, taking victory within the inaugural Chicago race for Trackhouse Racing.
