Jeff Gordon Has Been Named As A Co-Driver For One Of The New Cadillac Daytona Prototype International Cars


Jeff Gordon Has Been Named As A Co-Driver For One Of The New Cadillac Daytona Prototype International Cars

Just when you think that Jeff Gordon has finally hung up his helmet for good, along comes news that the former NASCAR racer and current racing analyst for FOX Sports has a new ride waiting for him: the upcoming Cadillac DPi-V.R race car. A Cadillac race car? And Gordon? Yep, you are reading that correctly, and here’s the breakdown on the details:

gordon

The Driver: Gordon has had a busy year, between analyzing races for FOX and driving as a substitute for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the #88 car. With Earnhardt expected to return for the 2017 season, that puts Gordon out of a ride…not that he was intending to do much driving after the 2015 season for NASCAR. He does have sports car experience, with a win under his belt from the 2007 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing, so this isn’t exactly uncharted territory for the former Rainbow Warrior.

“I really enjoyed racing in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2007 with Max (Angelelli), Wayne and Jan (Magnussen),” said Gordon. “When I announced I would no longer be competing full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, my hope was that I would get an opportunity like this to compete again in such a prestigious event – with Konica Minolta and Wayne Taylor Racing – with the hopes of winning it this time. I know that Ricky and Jordan (Taylor) are super-fast, and I believe it will be a very strong combination.”

The Car:

cymncqjwgaaxhm0The Cadillac DPi-V.R is a FIA-spec LMP2 chassis running as a Daytona Prototype International (DPi)…which means that out of the four chassis manufacturers that Cadillac could have chosen, Dallara got the nod over Onroak Automotive, ORECA and Riley/Multimatic. But unlike LMP2 cars, there are two distinct differences for the DPi program: non-standard bodywork and non-standard engines. One look at the nose of the DPi-V.R hints to design elements of Cadillac’s current model lineup, and as for the engine, that’s expected to be a 6.2L pushrod V8 that may or may not share a lot with the LT4 that is found in the Cadillac CTS-V, but will be down on power compared to the street car. Don’t fret that part at all: it’s only going to be at 600 horsepower, and the car will weigh in at under 2,100 pounds…it’ll be more than enough to raise a driver’s blood pressure.

While no direct dates have been given, the Rolex 24 at Daytona will be held January 28-29, 2017 with the Roar Before The 24 testing session occurring three weeks prior. We will see then what Gordon and Cadillac have in store for the sports car field.

(Courtesy: Autoblog)


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4 thoughts on “Jeff Gordon Has Been Named As A Co-Driver For One Of The New Cadillac Daytona Prototype International Cars

  1. Crazy

    Who said he hung up his helmet for good????
    only reason he and Stewart are retired is sponsors having clauses in them that they can’t race other forms of motorsports.. cause of they get hurt there , the sponsor isn’t getting what they paid for..
    it’s one thing to get hurt in the sponsors car.. but another to in another vehicle and get hurt..

  2. john

    Imagine…Tony Stewart driving an F1 car? That would be such a hoot ! “Rub’in is racing” you Euro pricks.

    1. Ed

      Good for Jeff, very talented driver in many different types of cars. And his co-drivers the Taylor brothers are very quick.

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