Jeff Gordon has announced that he will be joining Wayne Taylor Racing for a stint in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. All bets are off as Gordon hints at the possibility of Le Mans in the future.
Since 1962, racing legends from around the world have come to Daytona to compete in an exhausting 24-hour marathon. The race itself is notoriously merciless on both driver and machine as sleep deprived crews perform mechanical miracles. The Daytona International Speedway is an iconic circuit that has evolved drastically over the years. Mobil 1 reported on the monumental developments made to the circuit as it grows.
Jeff Gordon’s return to racing appears thematic. There seems to be a recurring theme across the world of Motorsports. Drivers announce their retirement from their respective sports, try to settle back into the monotony of a quiet life, then inevitably get the itch to hop back into a four-wheeled death machine again. It looks like NASCAR’s living legend Jeff Gordon is back at it again, albeit in a different sport.
Gordon is coming back to the world of burning asphalt and humming engines through partnering with Wayne Taylor Racing and their No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R. Gordon has stated multiple times in the past that exotic and prototypical cars interest him. It seems that ever since he had a chance to test out a F1 car back in 2003, something’s gotten a grip on him that he just can’t shake.
This won’t be the first-time Gordon has taken a stab at the Rolex 24. In 2007, Gordon collaborated with Wayne Taylor for the first time, resulting in an impressive performance that yielded a third-place slot for Gordon. It looks like that wasn’t good enough for him.
“I’ve just always felt there was some unfinished business there, but it takes a big commitment to do it right, and I wanted to do it right. So, I thought the Rolex 24 probably wouldn’t happen while I was still driving the Cup car.” – Jeff Gordon
Well it looks like Jeff has decided to front that commitment and give the race another go; with his sights firmly set on first. Gordon is sure to have his hands full with the Rolex 24, but that hasn’t stopped his fan base from speculating (and thirsting for) his involvement Le Mans.
“I keep saying Le Mans is out there. We’ll see how this goes. I think if this experience goes well, it definitely opens up some doors, because let’s be honest, driving ovals pretty much my whole life, until you have some success or show what you are capable of doing in this type of a car, people don’t really take you seriously.” – Jeff Gordon
Ever the pragmatist, we’ll just have to wait and see how things shake down for ol’ Jeff before we get our hopes up too high.
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