IMSA – Jeff Gordon at the 24 Hours of Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing

After the announcement of the end of its full-time program in Nascar Sprint Cup Series at the end of 2015, Jeff Gordon had returned to service this season to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr at the wheel of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet SS, during the convalescence of the “favorite” of American fans.

The four-time Nascar champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001) will once again get behind the wheel next January, but in Endurance, since Gordon will be lined up at the start of the 24 Hours of Daytona (January 28-29), first round of theIMSA Sportscar Championship 2017. He will thus make his return to an event that he competed in 2007, already with Wayne Taylor Racing under the SunTrust Racing banner.

The Vallejo, California native will team up on a Cadillac DPi-VR with Ricky and Jordan Taylor, and will also find Max Angelelli, present with Wayne Taylor with Gordon in 2007 in Florida. “I really enjoyed the 24 Hours of Daytona race in 2007 with Max, Wayne and Jan (Magnussen, Editor’s note), recalls Gordon.

When I announced that I would no longer be competing full-time in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series, I was hoping to have the opportunity to take part in such a prestigious event again, with the hope of winning it this time. I know Ricky and Jordan are super-fast, and I think it will be a very strong crew. »

“It’s a huge compliment, and how respected the team has become over the years, that someone with the history and career of Jeff Gordon wants to race with us, admits Ricky Taylor.

For me, it will be surreal to ride alongside such a legend and I can't wait to hear all the stories he has to share from his racing years. I'm sure he will be a great addition to our team and I hope we can all get our first win at the 24 Hours of Daytona together. »

Winner three times on the Florida oval at the Daytona 500 in Nascar, Jeff Gordon was also one of the best road circuit drivers in the American championship, as evidenced by his successes at Sonoma and Watkins Glen.