Why NASCAR Drivers Are Racing Nitrous Powered Crown Vics at the Freedom Factory

Denny Hamlin, Carson Hocevar, and Ryan Preece are trading their usual race cars for nitrous powered Ford Crown Victorias at Cleetus McFarland’s Freedom Factory in Bradenton, Florida.

The 2.4 Hours of LeMullets returns November 13, bringing NASCAR drivers, celebrities, and internet personalities together for a endurance race featuring two driver teams and a mandatory driver change.

For some drivers, this isn’t their first experience racing Crown Vics. Hocevar teamed up with McFarland to win the 2025 LeMullets event, while Preece previously won a Crown Vic race at Stafford Speedway.

The 2026 lineup also includes Ty Dillon, Hailie Deegan, T-Pain, Vanilla Ice, and actor Dax Shepard, creating an unusual mix of professional racers and entertainers.

The Freedom Factory has its own motorsports history. Formerly DeSoto Speedway, the facility was revived by McFarland after years of inactivity and has since become a destination for unconventional racing events.

But LeMullets isn’t just about recognizable names. Drivers still have to navigate traffic, manage their cars, and execute a driver swap while competing for the win.

The race begins November 13 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, with live coverage on FRDM+.