Jordan Taylor, coach to the stars!

Jordan Taylor, driver of the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R GTD entered in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar, has been named alternate driver for the Garage 56 project led by Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear. The purpose of this crazy adventure is to enter a Chevrolet Camaro of NASCAR Cup Series 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 in the Garage 56 category which opens the doors of the grand circuit to an innovative car every year. Taylor also serves as coach and mentor to the star driver trio of NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, World Champion F1, Jenson Button and the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mike Rockenfeller.

Jimmie Johnson, Jordan Taylor and Jenson Button © Hendrick Motorsports

What can a racing driver teach other racing drivers, especially when they are so capped? With Jordan Taylor's skills, it turns out that's a lot.

“My official title is 'driver coach', but I think that's more of a joke than anything else with the level of drivers we have, Taylor says with a laugh. I think a more appropriate title would be just consultant, with a lot of experience on the sports car side and the Le Mans side in particular, having raced there for so many years. »

Indeed, Taylor is more than legitimate in this role given his history with Corvette Racing. Wayne Taylor's youngest son has eight starts at the Circuit de la Sarthe, always in a Corvette, scoring a class victory in 2015 and three podiums.

Yes, a seven-time NASCAR Champion like Jimmie Johnson still has things to learn © Hendrick

“The Hendrick guys obviously don't have any experience there, so I can give them good advice on the rules or the secondary protocols that are very easy to fall into when you don't know them. It's exciting to be involved with a team like Hendrick and continue my association with GM and Chevrolet. »

As soon as he heard rumors of the Garage 56 project, Taylor contacted Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports' vice president of competition, to offer his assistance in whatever form it might take. Knowing Taylor's technical curiosity and steely determination, combined with a carefree and sunny personality appreciated by all, Knaus was quick to take this valuable asset to his side.

This car owes a lot to Jordan Taylor © Hendrick Motorsports

His contribution quickly proved valuable, which Jordan Taylor savors without restraint: “During the Daytona test, I made some comments about the dashboard and the steering wheel layout, and by the next test, at Sebring, it was all there on the car. It’s nice to see this responsiveness! » Taylor is confident that the Garage 56 Camaro will impress spectators with its performance, in addition to the roar of its NASCAR-derived V8 engine: “It will open the eyes of a lot of people at Le Mans and around the world when they see this car in action. »

Another test down and another step closer to @ 24hoursoflemans for the #NextGenG56 💪 pic.twitter.com/2aLk4HXgIq

— NASCARG56 (@nascarg56) February 23, 2023

There will inevitably be a touch of sadness when his comrades start without him, but the Coach knows what participation in the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will mean for his drivers: “When I went there for the first time, I was amazed! It was difficult to take in everything between the technical checks, the drivers' parade and the national anthems before the race. I think it's going to be super memorable for them. »

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