As unfortunate as the injury and sidelining of Chase Elliott has been in the last few weeks, the positive aspect of that incident has to be the fact that Jordan Taylor’s NASCAR Cup Series dream is finally coming true, thanks to a certain Jeff Gordon.

The SportsCar championship driver has experience in IMSA while also being connected to the Garage 56 program. HMS selected him as the fill-in driver for the #9 Camaro at Circuit of The Americas.

And to say he was the right pick by Hendrick Motorsports would be underselling it, because not only did he qualify in 4th place for the race, but he also got a pat on the back from the most unlikely figure.

Jordan Taylor recalls how Jeff Gordon gave him the opportunity to race the #9

In an interview on Saturday, Taylor spoke about the way his Cup opportunity came to be in the unfortunate circumstances of Chase Elliott’s injury. He recalled how he would text Jeff Gordon, asking if there ever came an opportunity to race in the Cup. He should keep him in mind.

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“He knew I was always interested. And then, unfortunately, with Chase’s incident to happen, he reached out, ‘What if you’re available? Could you do it?’ I was like, ‘100% I would do it.'” Taylor described.

“I kind of thought it would never happen and then when we were here at the Garage 56 test. I was only supposed to do 5 laps that day and I walked in, on a phone call with Chad Knaus, he was like, ‘Hold on Jordan,’ Jeff was on the phone, Jeff said, ‘You’re in if you want it,’ and I’m like, ‘Well then I’m in.'”

Taylor’s performance in qualifying impressed Chase Elliott

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Jordan Taylor qualified in an impressive 4th place for the race on Sunday. Hence, he got the attention and approval of many fans and insiders. But perhaps there was one person whose approval must’ve meant more than anybody’s, Chase Elliott.

Elliott tweeted heaping praise on Taylor, “I see you @jordan10taylor Killer lap.”

Now, this kind of thing is pretty rare, an A-driver applauding his own replacement?

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But then again, it’s not just any A-driver, it’s Chase Elliott. And it’s not just any replacement driver, it’s Jordan Taylor. He is more than capable of going all the way to win this Sunday.