Jeff Gordon continues to revel in Rolex 24 win

The excitement from winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona has yet to wear off for Jeff Gordon. Nearly one month after sharing in the overall victory with Wayne Taylor Racing, the four-time NASCAR series champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner says he's riding a sustained high after capturing IMSA's big season opener.

"It's been overwhelming," Gordon told RACER. "I mean, it's amazing. People that really are friends of mine that don't really follow racing a lot have reached out to me to talk about it. The ones that do follow racing, whether it be social media or my friends that are on a race team or I have known for years, it's still an overwhelming response."

Gordon's win in the No. 10 Cadillac DPi-V.R came in his second try with Taylor's team. For a driver with more than 100 NASCAR wins – and an embarrassing number of trophies – his prize for capturing the Rolex 24 from the race's sponsor ranks among the Californian's favorites.

"Of course, everybody wants to see the Rolex watch," Gordon said of his new timepiece. "I went out and got it sized right away as soon as I got back to Charlotte. It was a fun experience walking in with that watch into a Rolex store. Obviously, it gets a lot of attention ..."

Returning to Daytona to cover this week's 500-mile NASCAR season opener for FOX gave Gordon the chance to connect with the Florida-based Taylor family for the first time since their Rolex 24 achievement.

"I finally got to speak with Wayne; we had not spoken – he was sick and then I got the flu about a week and half ago, and I was sick, so he and I hadn't spoken since we left the track," he said. "It was so cool reliving some of the moments, and his pride in that experience and what it meant to him and his family and his race team, it was a great conversation that we had."

It's too early to say if Gordon will return to defend his win with WTR, and whether it happens or not, he will cherish what took place in 2017.

"I feel like we have bonded in a whole new way as friends and teammates," he added. "Only the experience of going through the 24 hours, and all the challenges that come along with it, can bring you together in a whole new way like we had. I will always be a big fan of Wayne and the whole team, and look forward to following them for many years to come."

Gordon's next appearance at an IMSA race could come as a surprise. After his co-driver Jordon Taylor arrived at the Rolex 24 as his superfan alter ego "Rodney Sandstorm" wearing Jeff Gordon NASCAR gear from the 1990s, the 45-year-old could turn up in disguise at a WeatherTech SportsCar Championship paddock to get his revenge.

"I love the idea ... there is nothing I would enjoy more than being able to pull it off," Gordon said with a laugh. "Because he was so disappointed that I recognized him at Daytona. It would only make it that much sweeter if I could pull that off against him. He's going to find out that I have friends in a lot of places like makeup departments that I can put a nice disguise together."