DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon humbly conceded that he was absolutely prepared to learn and absorb from his new Wayne Taylor Racing teammates in preparation for the WeatherTech SportsCar Series' season opener, the Rolex 24 -- Gordon's first drive in the great race since 2007.
What he wasn't counting on, however, was the practical joke initiation.
Actually it was more of an homage to the great NASCAR champion from 25-year old Jordan Taylor -- one of Gordon's three teammates for the Jan. 27-28 Rolex race.
"I had the idea as soon as I learned he would be driving with us to come up to him in the garage as a super fan," Taylor explained with a smile Friday afternoon as the team met with the media following the first practice session of the Roar Before the 24 three-day test.
"I figured he had seen that exact person, the jacket, the shorts, the mustache … I figured he'd seen that a million times and I would just blend in with the crowd. But, he saw it coming and kinda ruined my day."
Gordon laughed hearing Taylor relive the scenario. For all the high jinks in getting to know one another, however, this team is absolutely a serious favorite when it comes to the twice-around-the-clock race on Daytona's 3.56-mile road course.
This will mark only the second time the newly-retired Gordon has competed in this prestigious event. Yet he looked quite comfortable walking around the paddock and more importantly, sitting behind the wheel of the No. 10 Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Cadillac DPi prototype -- which was second fastest in Friday's opening practice session.
Dressed in Wayne Taylor Racing team blue, he led his co-drivers Jordan Taylor, Taylor's older brother Ricky, 27, and veteran Max Angelelli onto the stage to meet the press as part of the annual "Roar" test session.
"I am having a blast," Gordon said. "It's been a dream of mine not just to drive a car like this but to compete out on track with a team and car like this.
"It's a lot of fun for me. I treat this like I'm a rookie, having only run this race one other time. I just tapped into this team and the teammates listening and talking to (team owner) Wayne and Max and last two months really getting to know Ricky and Jordan testing with them. It's been an amazing experience but I must say getting behind the wheel of a car that brakes like that and corners like that is kinda eye-opening to me, but also at the same time, so much fun."
Before the fun, however, Gordon has methodically prepared himself -- mentally and physically training for this 24-hour test. He has immersed in Equinox training, snow skiing and more cardio workouts in general.
"It's not as hot as inside a stock car," Gordon said, "But it definitely puts a lot more loads on your body. I'm trying to get myself in as good a shape as these young kids I'm chasing around."
Out in Daytona's vast garage area, it was easy to locate the Wayne Taylor Racing hauler. Several people crowded outside hoping for a glimpse of Gordon, or even better: an autograph.
Maryann Danker, 67, of nearby Seville, Fla. stood outside holding a diecast NASCAR car of Gordon's. She is a 20-year member of the Jeff Gordon Fan Club and attending her first Rolex test session "only because of Gordon," she said.
Earning the prestigious Rolex watch later this month would put Gordon in historic company. Only Jamie McMurray has won the Daytona 500, Indianapolis' Brickyard 400 and the Rolex 24 -- an impressive congregate of some of the world's greatest races. And Gordon is up for achieving that honor too. Even if it's not something he’s specifically focused on.
"I'll be honest, that would be special but that's like icing on the cake," Gordon said. "I haven't thought a lot about that."
Then looking at his young teammates, Gordon added, "These kids force me to have fun because -- especially this one (Jordan) I have to watch out for him and was happy to get one over on him yesterday.
"I'm a very serious competitor and they are, too, but they like to mix it up and have fun and I love that. I want to have fun, but I really am only going to have fun and a smile on myself if we're up on that podium in the number one position when this race is over."