By David Morgan, Associate Editor
AUSTIN, Texas – In addition to the NASCAR Cup Series regulars that will be racing this weekend at Circuit of the Americas, Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix has drawn some familiar faces from elsewhere in the motorsports world into the fold as well.
Among those drivers is seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson making another appearance for the team he co-owns – Legacy Motor Club – and two former Formula 1 world champions in Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button driving for Trackhouse Racing and Rick Ware Racing, respectively.
Jordan Taylor, a standout driver in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and driving coach for the Le Mans Garage 56 program that includes Johnson and Button, makes his Cup Series debut driving in relief of the injured Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Taylor started off the weekend on a high note, timing in inside the top-10 during Cup Series practice on Friday, while the others have some work to do, finishing the session from 25th on back.
“Any driver wants to be at the front and battling for the win, but I think I have to keep my expectations in check,” Taylor said earlier in the week. “Everyone in the Cup Series these days is good on every form of racing, whether it’s a superspeedway, short track or a road course. I know that it’s going to be a big uphill battle, battling these guys.
“From a driver’s perspective, I have the belief that I can figure out how to drive the car and then it just comes down to the little details of pit stops, pit lane speed. I’m used to pushing a button on the steering wheel and it controls my pit lane speed. In NASCAR, you have to control it all yourself. So little details like that are the things that I’ve been bouncing off Chase (Elliott); little tricks of the trade and what to expect. Even little things like coming into the pit box, knowing how to launch the car and things like that.
“I know it’s going to be a big challenge, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
Johnson is no stranger to success in the Cup Series, but will be facing the same learning curve as his fellow road course ringers, having to not only learn how to race the Next Gen car on the treacherous road course, but also handling the new aero package that is in place this weekend.
“I’m really, really excited for this weekend,” Johnson said. “I’ve personally…
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