See Also: Robbie Gordon Biography
June 25, 2007
R. Gordon fuel mileage trouble: Robby Gordon started second and led a race-high 48 laps, including the first 34 on the 1.99-mile, 12-turn circuit. He wound up 16th after his team's fuel strategy let him down late in the race. "We need to figure out why we're getting a quarter of a gallon less fuel mileage than the other guys," Gordon said. (News Observer)
June 24, 2007
Robby Gordon Racing looking to add second team? #7-Robby Gordon said Friday that he’s moving closer to adding a second team for 2008. “When we have runs like this, it entices people to come and look at our organization,” said Gordon after qualifying second for the Save Mart 350. “We’re a single-car effort, but we can compete with these guys. We proved that, when for the last three weeks, we’ve been a top-15 car every week. And if we can run in the top 15, the door’s going to open up and we’ll find ourselves in victory lane.” Gordon also said he expects to move into his new headquarters for Robby Gordon Motorsports in late September. (FordRacing.com)
July 14, 2006
R. Gordon eyeing Gilliland? Robby Gordon wants to expand his operation to be competitive and may have his eyes on Busch driver David Gilliland. (Orlando Sentinel)
July 9, 2006
R. Gordon Motorsports to expand? maybe RYR? Robby Gordon Motorsports will expand in 2007, possibly to a two-car operation in-house or by way of an alliance with an existing team. Among those on the radar: Robert Yates Racing. RGM and RYR executives said Saturday they're discussing the future with "a lot of people," and RGM CEO John Story confirmed that Yates is among the teams with which RGM has discussed a future partnership. Whether or not the union comes to fruition, though, is up in the air "We've spoken to [Yates]," Story said. "We've talked to them, had some general discussions. But we're not yet ready. We've got to get everything on the table, lay it out and see what's best for us. "We will be making a lot of improvements to the program next year. We recognize we've got to grow. If you want to run for championships you've got to grow. So we've made it a strategy to grow. How we do it is yet to be determined." Story said RGM has a contract offer from General Motors for 2007, and regardless the chosen direction Gordon would maintain an ownership role. Story said RGM would prefer to add a second Nextel Cup Series team, and has ongoing discussions regarding the second program with several potential sponsors. (NASCAR.com)
June 1, 2006:
MAPEI on the #7 Gordon Ride: This weekend’s Neighborhood Excellence 400 presented by Bank of America will be the first race this season new sponsor MAPEI will be on the hood of the No. 7 Chevy. MAPEI, a global corporation, has been supplying residential and major commercial projects with total installation solutions for tile and stone, floor covering and decorative concrete as well as concrete restoration for more than 65 years. Visit http://www.mapei.com/ for technical information or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734) for the nearest location. (Robby Gordon PR)
May 28, 2006:
Robby triple-duty next weekend: Robby Gordon, who is widely regarded as the world’s most versatile race car driver, will put that reputation to the test once again next week when drives three different race cars in two countries on the same weekend. Gordon will defend his title in the Baja 500 in Ensenada, Mexico, where he will drive two different vehicles, and will also drive his NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car in Dover, Del. Having pulled the famed Indy-Charlotte double three times, Gordon is accustomed to the difficult travel logistics necessary to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, but the challenge of racing in the Baja 500 and Dover NASCAR races presents an even greater test. The 37-year-old driver will travel approximately 11,200 miles by air during the odyssey (nearly half the distance around the world) and more than 1,100 miles on the ground. Less than eight hours after the completion of Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his journey will begin with his first cross-country flight to Ensenada where he will spend three days practicing (or pre-running) both a Red Bull/Toyo Tires-sponsored Chevrolet CK1500 Trophy Truck and a Jim Beam/Toyo Tires-sponsored Hummer H3. Gordon will make the 2,800-mile flight to Dover on Thursday evening before practicing and qualifying his Mapei and Menards-sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo Friday. Following Friday’s NASCAR sessions, he will again return to Ensenada where he will take the green flag in the Baja 500 at approximately 9 a.m. (PDT) Saturday. (More at Robby Gordon Motorsports)
April 25, 2006:
Robby Gordon donates to ASU: Robby Gordon Motorsports donated $20,000 to Arizona State University to fund The Century Council's Alcohol 101 Plus program, which encourages responsible drinking. Gordon, team owner and driver of the #7 Jim Beam Chevy, presented a check to school officials prior to the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. The grant is part of a larger donation given to RGM by Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc. and its Jim Beam bourbon brand in support of the company's drink smart responsibility platform to educate consumers on how to make responsible decisions about alcohol. (Phoenix Business Journal)
April 22, 2006:
Toyota looking at Robby Gordon, Harvick still, Jarrett and sponsor UPS: Elsewhere on the Toyota front, Robby Gordon declined to comment on the latest reports that Toyota and sponsor Red Bull are making an offer to buy him and his entire team. General Motors executives are still hopeful of keeping Gordon in their fold and point to the extensive work they've done to help Gordon become more competitive as an independent owner-driver. Kevin Harvick, also said to be on Toyota's wish list, is still negotiating with GM and owner Richard Childress for a contract renewal, and the yes or no could come in the next few days. Harvick has set a package and price, and the ball is in Childress' court. But team sources indicate that Childress isn't willing to meet Harvick's demands. Childress has been unavailable for comment, and Harvick has declined to comment. According to sources, Dodge owner Ray Evernham may be interested in hiring Harvick. And Toyota apparently wants not only Dale Jarrett but also his sponsor, UPS. That situation is unclear, but it appears to mean that if car owner Robert Yates wants to keep UPS on his quarterpanels, he would also have to re-sign Jarrett for two more years. (Salem-Journal)
April 5, 2006:
Robby Gordon delivers 10 millionth meal in Tarrant County: Robby Gordon will make a special delivery to a homebound person on Thursday, April 6 in Ft. Worth, TX in his #7 Harrah's Chevy via police escort. He will assist Carla Jutson in delivering the 10 millionth meal served in Tarrant County since Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County began meal deliveries in 1973. In 2002, Harrah's became a national prime sponsor of the Meals On Wheels Association of America's "March For Meals" campaign, committing $1 million over three years and an additional $1 million from 2005 to 2009. Since 2004, Harrah's Entertainment and Gordon have teamed up to aid Harrah's nationwide efforts to drive public awareness for the association's campaign. This is the first of six deliveries in race markets this season. (Robby Gordon PR)
March 28, 2006:
Safety is reason for R. Gordon leaving IRL: Paul Dana's death in an Indy Racing League crash was a grim reminder for Robby Gordon of why he raced at Bristol Motor Speedway instead of Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. "That's why I left," said Gordon, who gave up a promising open-wheel career to race NASCAR full time four years ago. "One hundred percent, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Indy cars are too fast for ovals, and they run ovals every weekend. If I run on ovals, then I'm running around in a stock car with a lot more protection around me and at less speeds as well." News of the fatality in Florida spread through the Nextel Cup garage about two hours before the Food City 500. "We've had to deal with it," Jeff Gordon said, referring to Dale Earnhardt's death in the 2001 Daytona 500. "It hits home. In racing it's like family; we're a community no matter what the series." (USA Today)
March 27, 2006:
R. Gordon penalized for complaining? & Beamer in Attendance: Robby Gordon was held a lap by NASCAR for complaining on his radio about a NASCAR penalty.... Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer attended Sunday's race. (Roanoke Times)
March 16, 2006:
R. Gordon opens Casino: Iowa's newest casino opens Wednesday night in Council Bluffs. The Horseshoe Casino, owned by Harrah's, is opening in the spot where Bluffs Run used to be. The $85 million facility is 68,000 square feet, which is the state's largest. Harrah's estimates a $50 million addition to the tax base by 2010. The casino will feature live poker, video poker, slots, blackjack, roulette and craps. It will also house three restaurants. Actor Jim Belushi and NASCAR driver Robby Gordon will be part of Wednesday evening's activities. (KCCI)
Feb. 6, 2006:
R Gordon gets associate sponsor: InterActive Financial Marketing Group, LLC (IFMG) announced today that it has signed an associate sponsorship agreement with Robby Gordon Motorsports for the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. IFMG's associate program will include branding on the team's No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlos and an extensive nationwide marketing campaign featuring Robby Gordon in television and radio commercials, specifically customized for each participating Chevrolet partner's dealership and region. IFMG also plans to develop supporting in-store POP materials for its dealers and special trackside hospitality at select NASCAR events. "Having a sponsor like Interactive Financial Marketing Group is a perfect match for our team," said Gordon. "Chevrolet is an important part of our team and when we sat down with IFMG and learned of their goal to help Chevrolet dealers sell more cars to NASCAR fans it made a lot of sense. The program they've put together for their Chevrolet dealers is great, and I look forward to growing our relationship together for many years." To help launch IFMG's sponsorship, Gordon will be signing autographs in the IFMG booth during next month's National Automobile Dealer's Association (NADA) Convention and Expo at the Orlando Convention Center on Monday, Feb. 13, 2006, from 1-3 p.m. A full-sized NASCAR show car complete with an interactive Daytona USA racing game and widescreen television will also be featured in the booth. (RGM PR)
Jan. 20, 2006:
Jack Beam resigns with R. Gordon: Jim Beam announced that it will continue its relationship with Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) as a primary sponsor of the #7 Chevy driven by team owner and veteran driver Robby Gordon for a designated number of races (11) during the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. "Jim Beam is committed to motorsports and to supporting the only team owner/driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series today," said Brian Gallagher, manager of Jim Beam Racing. "We admire Robby's passion for racing and his determination to succeed as both a driver and a team owner. We look forward to continuing our sponsorship of Robby Gordon Motorsports in 2006." "RGM has the experience, people and capabilities to put a competitive car on the track," said Gordon. "Over the last several months our team has grown significantly, and our second season of competition will look much different than the first given the experience we have gained. We look forward to a successful 2006 season with Jim Beam." Similar to 2005, Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship of Gordon and the #7 Chevy to activate the Jim Beam Racing drink smart initiative. In 2005, Gordon donated $100,000 from a fund provided by Jim Beam to colleges and universities to fund alcohol education programs such as Alcohol 101 Plus from The Century Council (www.centurycouncil.org), an organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. The 2006 Jim Beam Racing drink smart program will be announced at a later date. In addition to sponsoring the #7 Chevy, Jim Beam helped make history as a sponsor of Gordon and Team Dakar USA, the first and only American team to compete in the Dakar Rally. For more information on Jim Beam Brands, and the Company's sales and distribution partners, please visit www.jimbeambrands.com or www.drinksmart.com.(Ketchum PR)
Jan. 5, 2006:
R. Gordon to use DEI engines: While Robby Gordon and his off-road racing team navigate their Jim Beam/Toyo Tires Hummer H3 through Northern Africa’s Sahara Desert, his NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team is preparing for its second season of competition from its shop in Charlotte, N.C. Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM), which was originally scheduled to participate in Daytona testing Jan. 9-11, will now test at Daytona Jan. 16-18 due to Gordon’s participation in the Dakar Rally through Jan. 15. While Gordon will use the first day of the test as a travel day back from Dakar, the team will employ a replacement driver on the first of the three days, with Gordon back in the seat for the session’s final two days. The test will be the first outing for the team with its new DEI engine package that it will campaign the entire 2006 NASCAR season. With the prowess of DEI engines on all types of tracks, particularly at NASCAR’s two restrictor-plate tracks – Daytona and Talladega – better results from the second-year program are expected. “Last year was a frustrating season for everyone here, but we would like to believe those days are behind us,” said John Story, general manager of RGM. “Not only did we have a completely new group of people working together for the first time and a new engine program, but we also came into the Nextel Cup Series in a year where the rules were amended to protect those teams that have shown loyalty to the sport. Given our bad start, we fought the new “top-35” rule all season and were never able to get ourselves into the position we hoped. At some point early this season we will benefit from the same rule we fought all season. While we’re still outside the top 35, we have so much going for us that we didn’t have last season. Chief among them is our team. With the exception of one person, the entire team that spent the last half of the season together is back again for 2006, and we have added a number of people to the staff to improve what was already a good team. We also have a fleet of cars that are all but complete and ready for the race track. At this time last year we didn’t have a single car on the ground. We now have as many as 11 cars all but ready to go. “The final, and perhaps biggest key to RGM having a successful 2006 season is the fact that we will again have sponsorship from Menards, Jim Beam, Harrah’s and CarLoans.com in addition to a long list of associate sponsors. I believe our sponsors see where we’re headed as a team and are also anxious to see how far we can improve this year.” Following three days of testing at Daytona, RGM will take part in NASCAR’s second test Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before returning to Daytona International Speedway for the Feb. 19 Daytona 500 with Jim Beam as the primary sponsor. (Robbie Gordon Motorsports PR)
Tracy to test for R. Gordon at Daytona: Paul Tracy’s desire to campaign a partial NASCAR season in 2006 will kick off at Daytona next week, when the Canadian is scheduled to test for Robby Gordon’s Nextel Cup team. According to this week’s Autosport magazine, Tracy will handle the beginning of next week’s sessions while Gordon travels back from the Dakar rally, which doesn’t end until January 15. "It helps me out and it helps him out, it's a win-win situation for both of us. It lets him work around NASCAR when he's not testing his Champ Car,” Gordon revealed. "He'll get some more superspeedway experience. He can learn from my engineers, but at the same time it helps me because I need a driver who can drive and test as well." (SPEEDTV)
Nov. 15, 2005:
Robby gets some help this weekend: This coming weekend, #7-Robby Gordon will run the Baja 1000 in Mexico, a race he's won twice. He'll have Busch Series regular (and DEI driver) Paul Menard practice and qualify his #7 Chevy on Saturday for Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Homestead with Gordon racing in the race in on Sunday. Gordon now is running DEI engines. (Yahoo Sports)
Nov. 11, 2005:
Gordon Motorsports reevaluation: Robby Gordon, after failing to qualify at Texas, Atlanta and Kansas City, and blowing engines at Dover, Charlotte and Martinsville, is rethinking his whole operation. He's bringing in a new engineer to help crew chief Greg Erwin and a new team manager to help John Story. And Gordon will have new engines here and at Homestead, from the Dale Earnhardt Inc. shop. "John Menard (who currently provides Gordon's engines) decided it would be better this way," Gordon said. "And we'll sit down at the end of the season and evaluate. (Salem-Journal)
Nov. 7, 2005:
Sponsor wants rebate? (#7) sponsor Jim Beam is asking Robby Gordon for a "rebate," after 13 DNF's this season. (RacingOne.com)
Oct. 24, 2005:
Menard sell won't affect Robby's engines: Gordon said that John Menard, the wealthy home-improvements businessman who owns the engine-building operation in England, Menard Engineering, that supplies his Nextel Cup motors, is negotiating a sale of that division to Honda for a second Formula One program. "But it won't affect our (Cup) engines next season," Gordon said. "Menard will continue to provide the engines, and he will also be a sponsor for 13 races." (Salem-Journal)
Oct. 16, 2005:
Menard engines sold? Word from England is that billionaire home improvement magnate John Menard, whose engine company has been building racing engines for Robby Gordon's team, has sold his racing and engine-building shop to Honda. Does that mean Gordon will have to start looking for another engine supplier? (Yahoo! Sports)
Sep. 30, 2005:
R. Gordon new sponsor: Carloans.com has come on board as a new associate sponsor for the balance of the 2005 season and will continue to support Robby Gordon Motorsports through 2006. (RG Motorsports)
Sep. 27, 2005:
Golden Palace buys R. Gordon's helmet: Making the best of a bad situation, NASCAR driver Robby Gordon auctioned off the helmet he threw at fellow driver Michael Waltrip on eBay for $51,100. The helmet was bought by Internet casino GoldenPalace.com, with all proceeds going to Harrah’s Employee Relief Fund. Harrah’s will use the money to help provide recovery assistance to employees, families, and the communities in the region affected by Hurricaine Katrina. Gordon threw the helmet at Waltrip after they were involved in an accident during last week’s race at New Hampshire International Speedway. “What happened [at the race] was unfortunate,” said Gordon in a quote that appeared on the eBay page. ”I’m sorry for losing my temper following the race, but after a day or two of looking back at the race its easy to realize that its just not that big of a deal compared with what the people of the Gulf Coast are still going through. Obviously I’m still angry…but at the end of the day I still have a house to go home to.” GoldenPalace.com is the internet casino and poker room that has been on an extended eBay shopping spree for over a year now, buying up some of eBay’s most unusual items, many of which to benefit various charities worldwide. As NASCAR is an extremely popular sport and Robby Gordon is a premiere driver, the helmet is a perfect high-profile addition to Golden Palace’s collection of items. “We are pleased to able to help the noble efforts of Harrah’s in their cause to provide relief to the victims of this disaster,” said GoldenPalace.com CEO Richard Rowe. “We wish the families that have suffered so much in the wake of this hurricane all the best, and praise their determination and strength as they take steps to rebuild their lives.” (Golden Palace PR)
Sep. 22, 2005:
Gordon Helmet pulled and relisted: The helmet that Robby Gordon threw at Michael Waltrip was temporarily pulled off the online auction site eBay on Wednesday after bidding exceeded $10 million. The site ended the auction because it was unable to verify the legitimacy of the bids and because Gordon didn't have the proper documentation showing that he planned to donate the proceeds of the sale to charity, eBay spokesman Hani Durzy said. The helmet was re-listed late Wednesday night with the assistance of AuctionCause, a company known for helping in fund-raising efforts with experience in prequalifying bidders. Gordon listed the helmet on eBay on Tuesday and planned to donate all proceeds to the Harrah's Employee Relief Fund, a charity designed to aid Harrah's employees affected by Hurricane Katrina. Bidding was spirited all day and the helmet was listed at more than $100,000. By Wednesday morning it had reached $8 million and Gordon's representatives began questioning the validity of the bids. By this time, eBay had also taken notice of the high amount of traffic and decided to end the auction. "That sort of thing sometimes happens on high-profile listings, its what we call bogus bidding - people just bidding with no intention to pay for it," Durzy said. "People sometimes do that because they think it is funny, and it's not." Durzy said eBay would probably investigate the bogus bids and either suspend or issue a warning against the potential buyers. Gordon was directed to AuctionCause by eBay, and the company helped him re-list the helmet at a starting bid of $5,000. The auction now has a letter proving that all proceeds will go to the Harrah's Fund, and bidding now requires proof of the ability to pay for the helmet. (Philly.com)
Sep. 21, 2005:
R. Gordon auctioning off helmet for relief: Robby Gordon is auctioning off the helmet he threw at Michael Waltrip, with all proceeds going to a relief fund for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Gordon started a one-week auction for the helmet Tuesday on eBay. The winning bid will go to the Harrah's Employee Relief Fund. "People started asking me almost immediately after the race if they could have my helmet, and rather than just giving it away, we'll use it to raise more money," Gordon said. "Obviously I'm still angry about getting wrecked intentionally, but at the end of the day I still have a house to go home to which is a lot more than a lot of people can say. "I hope people will dig deep and think of the big picture when they're bidding on the helmet." Gordon was fined a total of $35,000 and docked 50 driver points by NASCAR for retaliating against Waltrip during Sunday's race in New Hampshire. (USA Today)
Sep. 11, 2005:
R. Gordon and Marlin okay after wreck: Just 90 laps into the race, Marlin crashed in Turn 2. He had help from Gordon's No. 7 Chevrolet. Gordon, running behind Marlin and Scott Wimmer, went hard into Turn 1 and cut down in front of Wimmer, but Gordon was carrying too much speed and went up the track into Marlin, which resulted in a trip to the wall. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Marlin let it cool off before returning the favor on Lap 313 by turning dead right into the side of Gordon's car in Turn 2. NASCAR responded by bringing Marlin to pit road for a five-lap penalty. Gordon got his car fixed in the pits. Then, as the caution waved for Wimmer's spin, he charged up through the field to Marlin's car and rubbed up against it. Gordon was brought to pit road for his own five-lap penalty for rough driving. Soon after that incident, NASCAR made the announcement that both drivers and their crew chiefs were expected in the NASCAR hauler forthwith following the race. On his way out of the NASCAR transporter, Marlin said "We're cool, everything is OK." Gordon, back at his team transporter, was a little more vocal. "I definitely got into him (on Lap 90), and I apologize for that," he said. "I don't know if it was payback for something else I did, but everything's cool. We're good." (NASCAR.com)
Aug 15, 2005
Erwin Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award: Robby Gordon and the # 7 Jim Beam team scored one of the season's best comebacks this weekend at Watkins Glen International. After starting in 39th place, Gordon, with guidance from crew chief Greg Erwin, hustled through the glen's twists and turns to score a runner-up finish. His second-place run in the Sirius Satellite at the Glen marked his fifth top-10 in seven races at the 2.45 mile road course and his first top-10 of the 2005 season. For bringing Gordon through the pack, Erwin was voted the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. "It took everybody at Robby Gordon Motorsports working to give Robby the best car on the track this weekend to bring him from the back to the front," said Erwin after the race. "Robby showed what a great race car driver he really is coming from the back today. We had a plan we stuck to it and didn't panic. Thankfully for us, things worked out the way they did. We were able to run right there with (Tony Stewart) at the end of the race, two great road course drivers in two pretty cool road course cars." "We didn't know what kind of fuel mileage we were going to get, so our first pit stop we stayed out longer than we should have to calculate our mileage and see if we could make it to the end on one more stop. That bit us a little bit. We basically had to restart in 30th again. Robby drove through field and our fuel mileage was good enough to get us on cycle and allow us to pit with the leaders. Robby took it from there."
The panel of voters, including a Wypall Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser, gave their vote to Erwin as the Crew Chief of the Race for his tactful comeback. Doug Richert leads the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings with five wins. Alan Gustafson, Bob Osborne, Greg Zipadelli and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Fatback McSwain, Steve Hmiel, Jimmy Fennig, Greg Erwin and Pete Rondeau are in a tie for third place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com. (SMC 500)
July 27, 2005
R. Gordon Utah Firm partner for bottled water: NASCAR race team Robby Gordon Motorsports has entered into a partnership with Electric Aquagenics Unlimited Inc. Under the agreement, Electric Aquagenics Unlimited Inc. (OTCBB:EAQU) will be the exclusive provider of bottled water for the Robby Gordon Motorsports team during the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Season. Utah-based Electric Aquagenics, which markets Perfect Empowered Drinking Water, also manufactures purification equipment using technologies that sanitize and clean surfaces using water electrolysis. Financial terms weren't disclosed. (Charlotte Business Journal)
July 11, 2005
R. Gordon Indy Double? Robby Gordon said he will run the Indianapolis 500 next May, and since he's a Chevy man, that likely means that General Motors would provide the motors, reversing a GM decision last year to pull out of the Indy Racing League at the end of this season. Honda has been dominating the Indy-car series, and Toyota said it is withdrawing from completion - which leaves Indy star Roger Penske in a quandary.(Salem Journal)
June 5 2005
R. Gordon Wins Baja 500 Overall: Returning to his racing roots, NASCAR Team Owner/Driver Robby Gordon began his double-duty weekend with a stunning overall 4-wheel and SCORE Trophy-Truck victory in the 37th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 desert race in Ensenada, Mexico. Leaving shortly after finishing the race to return to Dover, Del., to drive in Sunday’s NASCAR Nextel Cup race, Gordon charged to the front early in his No. 83 Red Bull Chevy CK1500 and stayed there, covering the brutally-tough 419-mile course in 9 hours, 10 minutes, 32 seconds, averaging 45.66 miles per hour. (Robby Gordon Racing)
June 3 2005
R. Gordon heads to Mexico, Truex, Jr. in 7 (Not 31): Today Robby Gordon he will qualify in Dover, Del., for the MBNA 400 Nextel Cup race, then fly to Ensenada, Mexico, to drive in the Baja 500 off-road race Saturday and return to Dover for the Cup race Sunday. Gordon, who will drive solo in the 419-mile Baja race, won it in 1989 and '90. While Gordon is bouncing his No. 83 Red Bull Chevy CK1500 Trophy Truck in his first SCORE desert race of the year, Martin Truex Jr. will be putting Gordon's No. 31 (Last season's team!) Chevy Cup car through its pre-race ritual in Dover. "Robby has a lot of respect for [Truex], so he was the perfect person to practice our car this weekend while Robby is running Baja," said Greg Erwin, Gordon's crew chief. "Martin's feedback on the car's race setup is going to be important, and we can't thank him enough for offering to help us out." On Tuesday and Wednesday, Gordon will be at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma testing his car for the Nextel Cup race there June 26. (LA Times) LA Times incorrectly put RCR's No. 31 instead of Gordon's No. 7.
June 1 2005
Gordon Clarifies Patrick Remark: Robby Gordon was not being critical of Danica Patrick when he said she had an unfair weight advantage in the Indianapolis 500. Rather, he said he was simply discussing a flaw in the Indy Racing League's rules. "The only thing I was saying was that I have a problem with the rule, not any particular driver," Gordon said Tuesday. "I've been impressed with Danica from the first time she got in an IRL car earlier this year, and I certainly did not mean to disrespect her or any other driver." (Indy Star)
May 28 2005
R. Gordon says Danica Patrick has unfair advantage: Robby Gordon accused Danica Patrick of having an unfair advantage in the Indianapolis 500 and said Saturday he will not compete in the race again unless the field is equalized. Gordon, a former open-wheel driver now in NASCAR, contends that Patrick is at an advantage over the rest of the competitors because she only weighs 100 pounds. Because all the cars weigh the same, Patrick's is lighter on the race track. "The lighter the car, the faster it goes," Gordon said. "Do the math. Put her in the car at her weight, then put me or Tony Stewart in the car at 200 pounds and our car is at least 100 pounds heavier. (ABC News)
May 19, 2005
R. Gordon and Lance Armstrong; Dakar Ralley? Robby Gordon has invited cyclist Lance Armstrong to ride with him during the Dakar Rally. The rally, perhaps the most grueling event in motor sports, begins Dec. 31 and lasts two weeks. Off-road vehicles will race from Portugal to the city of Dakar in Senegal, a country on the west coast of North Africa. Along the way, drivers will bounce through terrain that ranges from mountains to deserts. The rally is organzied by a company called ASO, which also organizes the Tour de France. "If I could team up with a guy like Lance Armstrong, it would make a lot of sense," Gordon said. (USAToday)
March 12, 2005
NASCAR No Action against Gordon or Parrott: NASCAR officials said Friday they will not punish Robby Gordon or crew chief Brad Parrott for their physical confrontation last weekend in Mexico City. They had to be separated before Sunday’s race after a heated discussion about qualifying. Gordon qualified second for the race, but was sent to the back of the field after changing engines. Carl Edwards wrecked his primary car, moved to a backup, and changed engines in it without forfeiting his qualifying position. Parrott is Edwards’ crew chief, and didn’t appreciate Gordon complaining to NASCAR officials about the lack of a penalty for his driver. Witnesses have said Parrott kneed Gordon in the groin, and Gordon grabbed Parrott by the neck before they were separated. (The State)
March 7, 2005
Robby Gordon and Brad Parrott Incident Investigated: Some of the most heated action in the Telcel Motorola Mexico 200 took place before the race even started as Robby Gordon and Brad Parrott, the crew chief for Carl Edwards, scuffled minutes before the event on Sunday. Witnesses said that Parrott said something to Gordon before driver introductions. Gordon apparently turned away but not before Parrott supposedly gave Gordon a quick knee to the groin. Gordon responded by grabbing Parrott's neck and prepared to throw a punch before onlookers broke up the fight. "I don't know exactly what happened," Edwards said. "When I came onto the scene, Robby was roughing my crew chief up a little bit, so I just stopped Robby from doing that. I really didn't know what the situation was. That's all there was, and I was just trying to stop that from happening." NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said the sanctioning body would investigate the incident. (Herald Today)
March 2, 2005
Gordon might skip the Indy 500: Robby Gordon will not enter this year's Indianapolis 500 unless he's driving somebody else's race cars. Gordon, who has competed in the 500 ten times says his commitment is to his Nextel Cup and Busch Series teams and sponsors. Gordon says "I don't have the room...we're full..we've got 40 guys full time just turning these programs around." Since he won't operate an open wheel team Gordon says his final decision could be put off until the first week of Indy 500 time trials.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)
Feb. 25, 2005
R. Gordon and Harrah's Casinos: NASCAR owner/driver Robby Gordon will hit the track this year sporting a lucky No. 7 and a casino logo on his car. Harrah's Operating Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. , announced today that it has reached agreement in principle to sponsor Robby Gordon Motorsports throughout the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Subject to a definitive agreement, the arrangement calls for Harrah's to be the primary sponsor for 14 Cup races and an associate sponsor for 13 races. The sponsorship includes a multi-faceted marking program and exposes several Harrah's-owned brands to the more than 75 million NASCAR fans in the United States. In addition to the Harrah's logo, Gordon's car hood will feature the World Series of Poker logo for select races. Harrah's primary sponsorship begins with the February 27th Nextel Cup race at California Speedway and will include several races held at tracks in proximity to Harrah's casinos across the country, including Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Harrah's Las Vegas and the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino), Atlanta Motor Speedway (Harrah's Cherokee Casino), Phoenix International Raceway (Harrah's Phoenix Ak-Chin Casino), Dover International Speedway (Harrah's Atlantic City and Showboat Atlantic City) and Kansas Speedway (Harrah's North Kansas City). (Team/Harrah's PR)
Feb. 23, 2005
NASCAR hits drivers and teams with Fines, 11 total: NASCAR announced Wednesday that 15 penalties -- including 11 fines totaling $102,000 -- have been issued to Nextel Cup Series teams resulting from rule violations during the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 race weeks at Daytona International Speedway. Two of those penalties were issued to Robby Gordon Motorsports, including the most severe fine -- $50,000 for crew chief Bob Temple -- because of an unapproved intake manifold on the No. 7 Chevrolet discovered during the initial Daytona 500 inspection process on Feb. 11.Jim Smith, Robby Gordon's car owner, was penalized 25 car owner championship points. The No. 7 was in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules). List of fines
Feb. 21, 2005
Jim Beam donates $100,000 for responsible drinking: Jim Beam Bourbon has donated US$100,000 to 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup team Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM). The funds will be used to promote responsible drinking. Throughout the 2005 NASCAR season, RGM will make donations from this fund to local universities in various race markets for the purpose of alcohol education. The US$100,000 total will help to fund Alcohol 101 Plus educational programming produced by The Century Council, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to eliminating underage drinking. Gordon presented the first donation of US$10,000 to the University of Central Florida at the Daytona International Speedway on Friday (18 February). Throughout 2005, Robby Gordon Motorsports will present one local university in various NASCAR markets this season each with a US$10,000 cheque on behalf of his organization and Jim Beam. The donations will help fund each school’s implementation of The Century Council’s Alcohol 101 Plus education program and alcohol education activities. (Team PR)
Feb. 17, 2005
Indy Doubles: A handful of NASCAR drivers took notice when the start of the Indianapolis 500 was moved back an hour, making it almost impossible for them to compete at the Brickyard and in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and John Andretti have all attempted "The Double'' in recent years. It was a tough task even when the Indy race began at 11 a.m. (ET) because it was still a scramble to make it back to North Carolina in time for the NASCAR event. Now that the race will start at noon, Gordon said Indy will be hard-pressed to get any NASCAR drivers in the field. "That's the dumbest decision they could have made,'' Gordon said. "One of the draws of that race these days is seeing what NASCAR stars try to run the double, and I just don't understand why they would take that element out of it by moving the start time.'' (ESPN)
Feb. 11, 2005
Earnhardt, Jr. and Others fail inspection: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and several others could find themselves facing a monetary or points deficit even before their cars hit the track in preparation for the Feb. 20 Daytona 500. During pre-qualifying inspection Friday at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR inspectors confiscated the transmission from Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 8 Chevrolet because they determined the team had used the wrong gear ratio. Also during inspection, the intake manifold was confiscated from Robby Gordon’s No. 7 Chevrolet because of unapproved external modifications. (Mercury News)
