Jim Beam [14 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races:
Gatorade Duel 150 [2/14]
Daytona 500 [2/17]
California [2/24]
Las Vegas [3/2]
Texas [4/6]
Charlotte [5/25]
Dover [6/1]
Chicago [7/12]
Watkins Glen [8/10]
Richmond [9/6]
New Hampshire [9/14]
Atlanta [10/28]
Phoenix [11/9]
Homestead [11/16]
RVs.com [4 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races:
Bristol [3/16]
Talladega [4/27]
Michigan [6/15]
Martinsville [10/19]
Mapei [2 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races:
Phoenix [4/12]
Texas [11/2]
Valvoline [1 race] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races:
Atlanta [3/9]
Charter Communications [? races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races:
Martinsville [3/30]
Richmond [5/3]
- New Crew Chief for Robby: #7-Robby Gordon Motorsports and crew chief Frank Kerr have parted ways, Walter Giles is Gordon's new crew chief.(RGM)(5-2-2008) Comment here
- Charter colors for Robby at RIR: Robby Gordon will race the #7 Charter Communications Dodge this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.(RGM), see image of the scheme on my #7 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2008)
- Robby Gordon and Team Dakar USA Closes out the Central Europe Rally: The final stage of the Central Europe Rally concluded today with Robby Gordon experiencing more bad luck. Gordon lost a handful of minutes on the stage when his rear wheel came off but still managed an eight place finish. The result was good enough for Gordon to move the Monster Energy Hummer up into the 10th position. BJ Baldwin had another solid day, scoring a fifth place finish on the stage which allowed him to maintain his seventh place in the overall classification. After seven days of racing in Hungary and Romania, Team Dakar USA heads back to the United States with a strong sense of accomplishment. "We did not meet our overall objective but this team was strong," remarked Gordon "I think the international off-road community know we were here. These are the best race teams in the world and to go door to door with them says a lot about our program. BJ did such a fantastic job of representing Team Dakar USA and Ronn Bailey's Vanguard. I think he really made a name for himself." The team will now load up and make the drive back to Paris to organize the vehicles and equipment for shipping back to the United States. For Robby Gordon there is one more stage – he will fly overnight to Alabama for the NASCAR race in Talladega. In 2009 Team Dakar USA will race the first ever Dakar Rally in South America.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-26-2008) Comment here
- Team Dakar USA/Robby Gordon Update in the Central Europe Rally: On the familiar tracks of Veszprem, Robby Gordon claimed his second special win on the sixth stage of the Central Europe Rally. Gordon, who yesterday suffered a major setback in the overall classification yesterday when he broke the rear hub of his Hummer was determined to showcase his teams talents. Before the start of the second special of the day he and BJ Baldwin wagered dinner on the outcome. The bet was to see if BJ could stay within 45 seconds of Gordon's time. While the chance to win the rally overall is all but gone, the two drivers served notice that the Hummers are for real. Both drivers attacked the course and in the end Gordon finished first, one second over Carlos Sainz of Spain. Baldwin was not far behind, in fact just 19 seconds. Gordon got the victory and Baldwin gets dinner. Team Dakar USA also had a strong showing in the first 157km special in the morning. Gordon and Baldwin claimed the sixth and seventh spots respectively. The Vanguard Hummer has now moved up into the seventh spot while Gordon's Monster Energy Toyo Tire Hummer is in 11th. Tomorrow the Central Europe Rally wraps with a 155km special on the Veszprem tracks and then heads to Balaton Lake for the final festivities. Instead of participating in the festivities Gordon will board a plane and deadhead for Talladega for Sundays NASCAR race.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-25-2008) Comment here
- Team Dakar USA/Robby Gordon Update in the Central Europe Rally: The course was once again centered around the ex-military base outside of Veszprem, which provided an emotional rollercoaster ride for Robby Gordon and Andy Grider's. Stage five started out strong with the Monster Energy Hummer taking its first special win in the Central Europe Rally. With that strong performance the team moved to within three minutes of the top spot held by Carlos Sainz. Fortunes turned quickly on the second special for Gordon
and Grider when they experienced mechanical problems with the rear wheel assembly of the Hummer. "After the special win we were pumped up because we had fought our way back into this thing. The only thing left to do was to go hard and keep pace with the leaders. I'm very disappointed after the second special. We flew a decent size jump and the truck just came down wrong on the rear and damaged the rear hub. We finally managed to get it fixed but at that point it was too late. Our chances on this rally are over but I'm really proud of this effort." The bright spot for Team Dakar USA was another couple of strong specials for BJ Baldwin. Baldwin managed ninth in the first special, fifth in the second and
seventh on the day. His showing has earned the Ronn Bailey Vanguard Hummer a spot in the top-ten in the overall classification. Once again tomorrows tracks can be found in Veszprem where there will be two specials. The first special in the morning will be 157km while the afternoon special will be 54km. From there the rally goes to Balaton Lake for the final stage in the 2008 Central Europe Rally. Coverage of the rally can be seen in the United States on DirecTV. The half hour show will be aired twice - first at 7p.m. EST and then again at 12:30a.m.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-24-2008) Comment here
- Up and Down Day for Team Dakar USA in the Central Europe Rally: It was a seesaw day for Team Dakar USA. Over the past three stages when things have gone well for Robby Gordon and his Monster Hummer, BJ Baldwin and the Vanguard Hummer has had its set of challenges. Today the roles were reversed. The Central Europe Rally shifted back to Hungary and revisited the site of the first special in Dubras, just outside Budapest. Gordon impressed on the first special of the day, finishing third in the opening segment. BJ Baldwin was in full attack mode as well but managed to tangle with a tree. That episode relegated him to seventh on the first special. Team Dakar USA then travelled 201km to the start of the second special in Veszprem where the rally will be for the next two days. There was no holding back for either of the two hummer teams. Gordon and Grider were flying when a rock managed to sever the rear brake line. The duo acted quickly to cap of the line and continue with only front brakes. Navigation errors by some of the top rivals allowed them to close up the gap only to give it back when the Hummer H3 went off the track just a few kilometers from the end of the special. The second special was the best moment yet for BJ Baldwin and navigator Kevin Heath. Coming from the back the team scored an impressive 5th place finish which vaulted them up to 15th in the overall classifications. With Gordon's mechanical luck he dropped back to eight in the standings, 7:05 adrift.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-23-2008) Comment here
- Robby Godon Survives the Mountains in the Central Europe Rally: The damage was contained for Robby Gordon on stage three of the Central Europe Rally. The rock course that provided the four-wheel drive vehicles an advantage the day before was now in rough shape and Gordon and his Monster Energy Hummer managed a stronger than expected performance. Gordon began the day in seventh position overall and after the two specials managed to move up to sixth in the overall classification just 5:33 back of Stephan Peterhansel. Despite running the final portion of the second special on a deflated tire Gordon claimed the fourth best time of the day. Once again Bj Baldwin was not so lucky. A navigation error sent them into a snow bank which cost the Vanguard team over 20 minutes after getting stuck. Baldwin and navigator Kevin Heath are now in 20th place. The Rally now heads back to Debrecen, Hungary and the site of the first stage where the team can look forward to running the course in reverse. Again the stage will feature two specials, 62km and 88km. The rough terrain should be better suited for the Hummer than the tight tracks of Romania.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-22-2008) Comment here
- Second Day of Central European Rally Tougher for Robby Gordon: The second stage of the Central Europe Rally proved to be quite the challenge for Team Dakar USA. The mountainous tracks on the outskirts of Baia Mare proved to favor the four-wheel drive vehicles today. Recent snow storms left the tracks muddy in places and made the rocky course very slippery. Approaching the stage the Hummer team conceded the disadvantage and vowed to fight back on the upcoming specials but for today and possibly tomorrow they will take their lumps. The day was to be comprised of two identical specials each 76km in length. After the first special Robby Gordon found himself 4:43 back from special winner Stephan Peterhansel. He posted the 11th fastest time. BJ Baldwin lost 8:14 and finished 15th on the special. After the motorbikes, cars and trucks grooved up the course the organizers decided to shorten the second special to just 34km. The shortened special allowed Gordon to limit the damage on the second special. He finished just 39 seconds back of winner Al Attiyah, which secured a fourth place finish on the special. BJ Baldwin was not so lucky. A small rock managed to work its way up into the throttle cable housing and prevented Baldwin from getting full power. The freak occurrence cost Baldwin 6:22 and relegated him to a 30th place finish. At the end of the day Robby Gordon is 7th in the overall classification, 4:03 back while Baldwin's Vanguard Hummer is 18th overall, 22:17 back. Tomorrow's stage will be a repeat of today's events and then the rally returns to the site of the first stage, which was more suited for the Hummers.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-21-2008) Comment here
- Robby Gordon Second in first stage of Central European Rally: ARobby Gordon and his Monster Energy Toyo Tire blazed to a second place finish in the first stage of the inaugural Central European Rally. The stage began before a large crowd at Hero's Square in Budapest where the teams were introduced to the spectators. The competitors then drove to beginning of the special 58km away in Dabas. More like a WRC style rally course rather than the marathon wide open stages of the Dakar, Gordon and navigator Andy Grider laid siege to the tight twisty tree lined narrow track. The rally now heads for Baia Mare in Romania for the second stage which will feature two specials – both 76km. The terrain is reported to be muddy and rocky. Coverage of the Central Europe Rally can be seen in the United States on DirecTV. The half hour show will be aired twice – first at 7p.m. est and then again at 12:30a.m. Additional rally coverage can also be found on robbygordon.com and robbysuprising.com where Team Dakar USA will have daily updates, the twitter micro blog feed, and videos.(Robby Gordon PR)(4-20-2008) Comment here
- Robby Gordon and Central Europe Rally on DIRECTV's The 101: Team Dakar USA announced the acquisition of the United States broadcast rights for the Central Dakar Rally. DIRECTV will air a daily half-hour show on channel 101, the in-house channel available throughout the United States on the satellite television service. The show airs April 19-26 featuring 13 minutes of overall rally coverage plus nine minutes dedicated to the American efforts of Team Dakar USA. The program airs at 7 pm then re-broadcast at 12:30 am/et. When terrorist threats cancelled the 2008 Dakar Rally in January, the Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) moved quickly to schedule the Central Europe Rally as a replacement event for all the teams, fans and sponsors of the legendary Dakar Rally. The Central Europe Rally was already in the works as part of the Dakar Series set to debut in 2009. Beginning in Budapest, Hungary, the varied and technical route covers 2,972 kilometers, about 1,846 miles, in seven days. The route includes a stint in Romania before concluding at Balaton Lake in Hungary. Team Dakar USA Owner and driver Robby Gordon is no stranger to logistical challenges, but the Central Europe Rally may prove to be the greatest challenge yet. Gordon, a fulltime Sprint Cup driver, plans to fly to Paris after Saturday's Sprint Cup race in Phoenix. In Paris he'll join members of Team Dakar USA program then drive the race and support vehicles over 1,300 kilometers to Budapest for the rally's start. At the rally's conclusion on April 26, Gordon will fly back to the United States to compete in the Sprint Cup race at Talladega on April 27th.
"Timing is everything with this event. First, I'm very grateful to the ASO for coming up with a solution for all the fans and sponsors. The schedule that they selected has made it possible for us to compete. I also have to thank Chris Long at DIRECTV for helping televise this event. He and The 101 team have mobilized quickly, and I think motorsports fans everywhere will have something to get excited about," said Gordon. Team Dakar USA fields two identically prepared purpose-built race Hummers in the Central Europe Rally. In the 2007 Dakar Rally, Gordon in his same Monster Energy/Toyo Tires Hummer H3 finished first in the open class, eighth overall and scored a stage win. It was Gordon's third stage win in three years and allowed Hummer to become the first American manufacturer to win a Dakar Rally stage. For additional rally coverage please visit robbygordon.com and robbysuprising.com where Team Dakar USA will have daily updates, the twitter micro blog feed, and videos.(RGM)
AND P.J. Jones will sub in Robby Gordon's #7 Dodge during practice and qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway in two weeks. Gordon will be competing in the postponed Central Dakar Rally. Jones could race if Gordon's return from Hungary is delayed.(Arizona Republic)(4-13-2008) Comment here
- Charter to sponsor Robby: Robby Gordon will race the #7 Charter Communications Dodge this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. "We are excited to have Charter Communications as the primary of the #7 this weekend, and we hope to finish strong on Sunday for them" said Gordon.(RGM PR)(3-25-2008) Comment here
- Robby to sell? UPDATE 2 denied: hearing that Alex Gillett [George Gillett's son - AG Motorsports?] has purchased Robby Gordon Motorsports [#7 Dodge] and will run it as a separate entity from Gillette-Evernham Motorsports. Plans are to eventually expand it to a multi-car team. Assuming Robby Gordon will stay on as driver...if this is true. Currently Gordon owns the team, but has a technological and marketing partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports and is 24th in driver/owners points.(3-10-2008)
UPDATE: "On Feb. 1, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Robby Gordon Motorsports announced a technical, manufacturing and marketing agreement. Nothing has changed since that announcement."(GEM PR)(3-11-2008)
UPDATE 2: One of the hot rumors last week was the sale of Robby Gordon Motorsports to Alex Gillett, son of Gillett Evernham Motorsports primary owner George Gillett Jr. On Friday at Bristol, the owner/driver Gordon said it was business as usual for him. "I haven't sold my race team," Gordon said. "People talk and there are a lot of interesting things going on, but right now, it's business as usual. I bet last year, 20 people came to me asking me if I was interested in selling my team, so it is what it is."(NASCAR.com)(3-15-2008) Comment here
- No Indy 500 this year for Robby: DOES THIS MEAN [winning the appeal] YOU [#7-Robby Gordon] WON’T ATTEMPT THE INDIANAPOLIS 500 THIS YEAR?
“It was more of a fact if we’re on the outside of the top 35, we really weren’t going to have a shot at making the Chase in 2008, we needed to do something big. Let’s go try to win Indy or something. That’s the pure racer coming out in me that wants to succeed. That deal is off.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(3-8-2008) Comment here
- Robby Gordon's reaction: The following is a statement from Robby Gordon regarding today's decision by the National Stock Car Racing Commission restoring his 100 owner and driver points as well as reversing the six-week suspension of crew chief Frank Kerr. The commission did increase the fine from $100,000 to $150,000. Gordon is now 21st
in driver points. Robby Gordon: "We see this as good news. We are grateful the commissioners rescinded the points penalty and suspension but disappointed by the fine. Still, we see this as a victory for Robby Gordon Motorsports. We feel like justice was done and appreciate NASCAR creating a system that allowed us to take our appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commission. Now we plan to put this issue behind us and concentrate on making the "Chase" in 2008 as well as getting the Jim Beam Dodge into victory lane. I want to thank the thousands of fans and our sponsors who have supported us through this episode and want everyone of you to know how much we appreciate all that you have done. Our goal is to be a model team in the future and never go through something like this again."(Robby Gordon Motorsports PR)(3-5-2008)
- Robby's Appeal to be held on March 5th UPDATE 2: #7-Robby Gordon's appeal to NASCAR officials in response to a 100-point penalty and six-race suspension and $100,000 fine for crew chief Frank Kerr is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 in Daytona.(2-28-2008)
UPDATE: nothing official, but am hearing all of the penalties [points and crew chief suspension] have been rescinded BUT the fine was increased from $100,000 to $150,000.(3-5-2008)
UPDATE 2: On March 5, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Robby Gordon Motorsports regarding the #7 car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following opening day inspection on February 8, 2008 for the Sprint Cup Series event at Daytona International Speedway.
The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules” and Section 20-3.1-A: “Unapproved front bumper cover.”
The penalties assessed were:
* Loss of 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Robby Gordon.
* Loss of 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Robby Gordon.
* $100,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008, and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief, Frank Kerr.
The Appellants argued that the bumper cover was installed as delivered from the manufacturer, that it did not provide a competition advantage since it was discovered prior to being allowed on the racetrack, and that the bumper met the templates. The Appellants also argued against the severity of the penalties. In deliberating, the Commission considered several factors. The bumper cover constituted an obvious rules infraction and the Appellants did not contest the legality of the part. The Commission notes and reaffirms the following fundamental principal which is vital to maintaining the integrity of the sport: Regardless of the source of an unapproved part on a racecar, the race team that officially enters the car in a NASCAR race is ultimately accountable for that racecar’s conformance, or non-conformance, to the rules. However, the Commission believes that the facts presented during the hearing represented an extraordinary and unusual set of circumstances. While this does not excuse the infraction, the National Stock Car Racing Commission has decided to reinstate the car owner and driver championship points, lift the suspension, and increase the fine. For the crew chief, Frank Kerr, the penalty is increased to $150,000 and he remains on probation through Dec. 31, 2008. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(3-5-2008) Comment here
- Robby to have sponsor fron Valvoline at Atlanta: Robby Gordon will race the #7 Dodge with Valvoline sponsorship this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gordon's appeal of a 100-point penalty, $100,000 fine and six race crew chief suspension NASCAR assessed after failing a pre-practice inspection at Daytona will be heard Wednesday in Charlotte. Gordon said: "We are going to carry the Valvoline sponsorship this weekend to help out Gillett Evernham Motorsports. This is pretty cool. I saw on one of the online auction sites someone was auctioning off the Valvoline driving suit I wore in the off road days. It was going for $500! Maybe I should have saved a couple. We're going to make our appeal Wednesday. Yes, I'm confident we are going to get our points back. I think when the commissioners hear what we have to say they will agree the penalty imposed on our single car team is way too harsh for something others have admitted was their mistake. This team didn't try to get anything by NASCAR and there was no cheating. It was a clerical mistake and to jeopardize our team's future over something like this is really sad. All we want is justice and to get back to just worrying about making our cars go faster."(RGM PR)(3-5-2008), see images on my #7 Team Schemes page.(3-5-2008)
- R. Gordon may do 'the double' Indy 500/Coke 600 if he loses appeal: If Robby Gordon Motorsports loses its appeal next week of the penalty levied by NASCAR for a rules violation committed during Daytona Speedweek, Robby Gordon may choose to enter the Indianapolis 500. Robby Gordon Motorsports was penalized 100 points and fined $100,000 for installing an illegal nose on the #7 Dodge at the outset of Speedweek. Gordon told ESPN.com Friday that if his team loses the appeal, and is unable to rebound into Chase contention by May, he will attempt to run the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the same day. In the past, drivers -- including Gordon from 2002 to 2004 -- have attempted to run both races in the same day. But the races' start times in recent years have created logistical conflicts. "If the fine sticks, I will go to the Indianapolis 500," Gordon said. "The only way I wouldn't is if we're in a position to make the Chase in May." If indeed this happens, Gordon is uncertain whether he would field his own car or drive someone else's. Gordon does believe, though, that he has an excellent opportunity to win this appeal, which will be heard March 5 by the National Stock Car Commission in Daytona Beach, Fla. The part in question, the nose piece on the car, is not a NASCAR-certified part, Gordon said. It is distributed to the teams by the manufacturer, so Gordon said it amounts to a clerical error by someone not even on his team. The infraction was discovered during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500, before the car ever graced the racetrack. So Gordon believes the penalty is disproportionate. Gordon said the penalty also has hurt the perception of his team. Races remain on the schedule for which Gordon hasn't yet secured sponsorship. "When sponsors are looking at your team, perception is important," Gordon said. "This made us look bad."(ESPN.com)(3-1-2008) Comment here
- Thousands of Fans "Stand Up for Robby" with Jim Beam: Jim Beam Bourbon announced the brand will continue the "Stand Up for Robby" initiative, begun this past weekend at Auto Club Speedway of Southern California. Originally intended to be a one-weekend show of support for Gordon and the team, overwhelming fan reaction has encouraged Jim Beam to continue the campaign enabling fans to offer their opinions and sign a petition requesting NASCAR reduce or overturn recent penalties imposed against the #7 Jim Beam Dodge race team. "Standing up for what is right is more than a philosophy for Jim Beam, it is a mantra we live by," said Sam Seiller, Senior Director, Whiskies Group, Beam Global Spirits & Wine. "Getting behind our driver is the right thing to do in this situation. We are pleased to see so many fans on the same page and voicing their support for a guy who showed grit, determination and character in driving to an 8th-place finish in the Daytona 500." Gordon and the #7 Dodge race team last week filed an appeal to NASCAR officials in response to a 100-point penalty and six-race suspension and $100,000 fine for crew chief Frank Kerr announced by NASCAR. Fans attending last weekend's NASCAR events in Fontana, Calif. and throughout the country were encouraged via a grassroots and online public relations effort to join the "Stand up for Robby" cause. To date, more than 8,500 fans have visited www.jimbeam.com and signed a petition to be distributed to NASCAR in advance of the appeal hearing. Upon the team's notification of the appeal hearing date, Jim Beam will announce the timing of submission of the petition to NASCAR officials. In addition to circulating the petition and distributing the letter to NASCAR, Jim Beam printed and distributed "Rally for Robby" t-shirts to fans in attendance during the NASCAR race weekend at Auto Club Speedway of Southern California. Throughout the race weekend, fans wearing the shirts showed their support for the #7 Jim Beam team. Gordon expressed appreciation for the encouragement provided by Jim Beam and fans throughout the country, and said his team's focus is on competing well on the track and awaiting a fair hearing at the appeal. "It's great to know we have a sponsor like Jim Beam that has our back," said Gordon. "Jim Beam has stuck by our race team for four years and believes we made an honest mistake. I'm also happy to see fans jumping onboard to support our team." At track and online activities will continue this week as the Sprint Cup Series visits Las Vegas. Fans attending the events can buy "Rally for Robby" shirts at the Robby Gordon Motorsports merchandise hauler. Fans elsewhere looking to show their support can purchase the t-shirts and sign the petition online at jimbeam.com.(Jim Beam Racing PR)(2-27-2008) Comment here
- Dodge Says Mistake Led to Gordon's Penalty: Dodge officials admit a mistake led to Robby Gordon having the wrong nose on his car at Daytona and later being penalized 100 points and $100,000 for the infraction. Kipp Owen, director of Dodge Motorsports Engineering, issued a statement Friday about what happened to Gordon. "While the nose meets the template for the car of tomorrow, it has not yet been approved by NASCAR or use in racing," Owen said in a statement. "The prototype parts were in the warehouse, and share the same basic part number as the approved ... nose. It was an unfortunate series of human errors compounded by the very short time frame [Gordon's team] had to get their cars changed to Dodge Chargers in time for the Daytona 500. Dodge has taken the appropriate steps in the warehouse to make sure that prototype parts can not be mistaken for approved parts in the future and hopes that the circumstances surrounding this error are considered."(Roanoke Times)(2-23-2008)
- Sponsor throws support behind Robby: A campaign is under way declaring Robby Gordon's innocence for what NASCAR said was an illegal part used on his car during Speedweeks. Representatives from Jim Beam, which sponsors Gordon's #7 Dodge, will canvas the Auto Club Speedway grandstands on Saturday gathering signatures for a petition demanding NASCAR reverse its "unfair" decision to dock Gordon 100 points. Crew chief Frank Kerr also was fined $100,000, suspended for the next six Sprint Cup Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Along with the petition, "Rally for Robby" T-shirts are being made for Gordon fans to wear during this weekend's Cup events, said Sofia Lombardo, spokesperson for Jim Beam [have not seen anyplace fans can purchase the t-shirts]. Also, Thomas Flocco, president and CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc., has sent a letter addressed to NASCAR president Mike Helton, as well as other top officials, voicing the company's frustrations. "Robby's team earned an honest eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500 through tireless dedication, quality and character, not because of rule violations," the letter states. "As your own officials have stated, there appears to have been no intent to circumvent the rules in order to gain a competitive disadvantage. It amounts to an honest mistake that was corrected before the race. Your decision unfairly penalizes Robby, his sponsors and his fans. ... While we fully support the rules NASCAR has put in place to keep the playing field level, we ask that you closely review all the facts," the letter continued. "Please consider not just the letter of the law, but the spirit of the rules of competition." Gordon, who was not allowed to participate in a news conference for the top-10 Cup drivers Friday in California, is equally as frustrated and feels NASCAR continues to target him as an independent team owner. On Thursday he said that he would appeal the penalty levied against the #7 team by NASCAR.(NASCAR.com)(2-22-2008) Comment here.
- #7 team penalized for Daytona infraction UPDATE: NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the #7 team that competes in the Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The #7 Dodge driven and owned by Robby Gordon was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-3.10A (unapproved front bumper cover) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 8. As a result, Gordon has been penalized 100 championship driver and owner points. Crew chief Frank Kerr has been fined $100,000, suspended for the next six Sprint Cup Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.(NASCAR PR), Drivers and Owners points have been adusted accordingly. (2-20-2008)
UPDATE - appeal: Robby Gordon comments: "This was an innocent mistake made by someone not even on my team. They accidentally supplied us the new Dodge noses that NASCAR hasn't yet approved because of what amounted to a clerical error. It was discovered during technical inspection and corrected before the race. It was not even close to being an intent to create some competitive advantage, and the mistake was not even made by my team. This penalty is way out of proportion when you compare it what happened last year when a team was penalized 100 points for adding a substance to the fuel, or when a team deliberately changed the bodies of the COT. To penalize my team the same amount when we didn't even make the mistake, and the mistake was nothing more than inadvertent human error by someone else is just not fair. Other teams who have had similar issues to what happened with the nose on my car were only penalized 25 points. I hope that NASCAR can reconsider when they have all the facts. In the meantime, we have no choice but to appeal this penalty. We started the season off on a high note with a top 10 finish at Daytona and we look forward to continuing that at California and Las Vegas.(RGM PR)(2-21-2008) Comment here
- Dakar Rally to shift to South America for 2009: The next Dakar Rally will zoom past the Andes, over Argentine plains and through Chilean desert instead of racing through African scrub and dunes. Forced by the threat of terrorism to cancel this year's race, organizers hope to give the Dakar Rally a new beginning by swapping continents and going to South America in 2009. Race director Etienne Lavigne detailed the route in a telephone interview Monday. He was already in Buenos Aires, scouting out the Argentine capital that will host the start and finish of next year's race. This year marked the first time that the 30-year-old rally, one of the biggest competitions in automobile racing, was called off. Next year will mark the first time that it will not race in Africa. The race will start in Buenos Aires on Jan. 3 and finish in the Argentine capital Jan. 18, organizers said. About 500 competitors signed up for the 2008 edition, which was canceled in January after French government warnings about safety. Lavigne said the race will return to Africa when it can. The 2009 edition will traverse 5,600 miles in Argentina and Chile, with racing over nearly 3,700 miles in 15 days, with one rest day. The race will start in Buenos Aires, go to Patagonia, the Andes mountains and venture into the Atacama desert, the world's driest, Lavigne said. The exact route is still being worked out.(USA Today/Associated Press PR), #7-Robby Gordon was to run the 2008 version and estimates he lost millions of dollars when the race was cancelled.(2-12-2008)
- Robby made switch to be stonger team: #7-Robby Gordon believes he made his team stronger through a technological and marketing partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Gordon will switch to Dodge immediately and he said Friday afternoon he plans to lean on the three GEM Sprint Cup teams for help. "I look at it as it's a stronger way for my team to survive," said Gordon, who was 26th in [driver] points [and 28th in owners pts, #96 Hall of Fame Racing was the highest single car team at 25th in 'owners' points'] despite missing a race last year. "Hopefully it's going to make a good partnership going forward. Right now, today, we're probably receiving a few more benefits than they are. We've got a decent group of engineers at our place, but having teammates is going to be important, It's going to be nice to have people that we can walk over and say, 'What are you running for shocks? What are you running for springs?' I haven't had this kind of information the last three years. We've been able to make it and be competitive, but I think this will take us from the 20s, hopefully back to the teens and maybe even [to] an opportunity to make the Chase." Short term, Gordon said he believes his team will be ready with its Dodges when practice for Daytona 500 qualifying begins Feb. 9. "I've never converted a COT before, especially ones that had never been raced," Gordon said. "Our cars were ready. I've got a good group of guys back in the shop, and I'm confident they'll do a wonderful job converting these cars. I think we'll be competitive when we roll out at Daytona."
But why now? Why a week before the season starts? "These were the guys that were willing to do it with me now," Gordon said. "The season is starting. There is no better time than at the beginning of the season. Right now is the right time. We're getting ready to go racing." Another reason was that Gordon's motorsports operations had spent about $4.5 million for the Dakar Rally, which ended up being canceled. There likely will be a substitute race later this year, but Gordon said that the Dakar situation made him look more urgently about a partnership because "it cleaned some of our slush fund out." Gordon said he had no problems with Ford as a manufacturer. Gordon had moved from Chevy to Ford for the 2007 season. "Ford was great to work with," Gordon said. "I didn't feel there was a suitable team there that was willing to open up their books and share their technology with us. Ford, as a manufacturer, they stood up to everything they said they were going to do."(SceneDaily.com)(2-2-2008) Comment here
- Something up with Robby Gordon? UPDATE been hearing a bunch of rumors the last few days about Robby Gordon Motorsports, driver/owner Robby Gordon and the #7 Ford. Everything from he is selling the team, merging the team or/and switching manufacturers. Rumored teams include Yates Racing, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Hall of Fame Racing. Email sent to the team has gone unanswered. I have been told Gordon tested at California Speedway Thursday, then left and headed back to California and didn't test there Friday.
UPDATE: Gillett Evernham Motorsports today announced a technical, manufacturing and marketing services agreement with Robby Gordon Motorsports which will race Dodges in the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Gordon's team will use Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge engines when practice begins next week at Daytona International Speedway. BAM Racing and Petty Enterprises also use Gillett Evernham Motorsports engines and receive technical assistance. Gillett Evernham Motorsports fields cars for drivers #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Patrick Carpentier in the Sprint Cup Series as well as a Nationwide Series entry. "I feel this agreement with Gillett Evernham Motorsports helps make the learning curve of the COT little bit easier to navigate," said Gordon whose 28th-place finish in owner points was the best of any single-car
team in 2007. "I like what they have going on over there and I think both organizations will benefit. As an owner I want to do what is best for my employees and sponsors." Gordon's move to Dodge comes after one year with Ford. "Ford has been very good to me, and this move is not a reflection on our relationship at all," said Gordon. "Ford was planning on supporting me, and even increasing its engineering support for my program in 2008. However, I felt that I needed to make this move to help put my team in a
more stable financial situation in terms of marketing and sponsorship help." Based in Charlotte North Carolina, Robby Gordon Motorsports is home to the No. 7 Dodge. With sponsorship from Jim Beam, Menards, Mapei, and Camping World Robby Gordon will run the entire 2008 Sprint Cup series schedule.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports PR)(GEM PR)(2-1-2008)
- Robby Gordon wins Laughlin Leap: Sprint Cup team owner/driver #7-Robby Gordon nearly set an event-record in winning Thursday’s SCORE Laughlin Leap competition, a prelude to this weekend’s season-opening 14th Annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in Laughlin, Nev. Gordon won the large truck division by sending his powerful #77 Chevy CK1500 SCORE Trophy-Truck off the six-foot dirt jump for a distance of 152 feet, 2 inches. A total of 17 of the 29 SCORE Trophy-Trucks entered in last weekend’s race competed in the optional SCORE Laughlin Leap. Gordon came close to the event record of 160’ 6” set in 2004 by Mark Post and nearly topped in 2006 when Carl Renezeder won with a leap of 159’ and Marty Coyne jumped his SCORE Trophy-Truck 157’ in 2005.(RobbyGordon.com)(1-30-2008)
- Dakar race cancellation, lost money, angers Robby Gordon: #7-Robby Gordon arrived for testing at Daytona International Speedway on Monday with a pack on his back and a chip on his shoulder. Gordon had planned to skip the three-day test for his Sprint Cup team to drive in the Dakar Rally in North Africa. Those plans changed on Friday when organizers canceled the event because of the Dec. 24 slayings of French tourists in Mauritania -- where eight of the 15 stages were scheduled to be held and -- and direct threats of terrorism from al-Quida-linked militants. Gordon said he was upset because the Amaury Sports Organization that puts on the rally had no backup plan for a race that he estimated cost Robby Gordon Motorsports out of California $4.5 million to prepare two cars to send overseas with full crews. "They did not have a plan," Gordon said as he shook his head in disbelief. "That's the part I'm mad about. Cancel the race for safety. I'm with you. Good. But there was no reason to cancel the whole entire event with 16 days or racing. We could have run Martinsville or a couple of specials. Us racers, we like to race. Just get creative. They're right there in Portugal [where] they have a Formula One track down the street. Get creative. Do something to keep the show in place. I can't believe they gave up that easy." It was the first time the 30-year-old event, one of the biggest competitions in automobile racing, was canceled. Gordon said the ASO has promised to pay back the $360,000 entry fee, but he's not sure how he will recoup other losses for his team and sponsors. Officials with the ASO could not be reached for comment. Gordon heard of the cancellation less than an hour before the race was to begin.(ESPN.com)(1-8-2008)
- Dakar Race Cancelled: The annual Dakar Rally was canceled Friday on the eve of the race because of terror threats and the recent slaying of a French family in Mauritania blamed on al-Qaida-linked militants. It was the first time in the 30-year history of the automobile, motorcycle and truck race across the Sahara Desert that it has been called off. In a statement, organizers blamed international tensions, the tourists' Dec. 24 murders and "threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organizations."
"No other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken," they said. France, where the race organizers are based, had urged the rally to avoid Mauritania after the slaying of the four family members in an attack blamed on a terror cell that uses the Mauritanian desert as a hideout. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner "hailed the organizers' courage and wisdom" in calling off the rally, said a spokeswoman for his ministry, Pascale Andreani.
The race, organized by the France-based Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), had been due to start in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday and finish in Dakar, Senegal, on Jan. 20. Eight of the stages had been set to take place in Mauritania. Some 550 car, truck and motorcycle drivers were expected for the 5,760-mile trek. The race's central appeal -- its course through African deserts, scrubland and savannas -- is also a weak point for security, making it difficult to protect thousands of people as they traverse such remote regions.(AP/ESPN.com/Dakar.com/Robbygordon.com), Sprint Cup driver, #7-Robby Gordon had been scheduled to run the race, and will test at Daytona in the first session, scheduled for Jan 7-9th, Brendan Gaughan was to sub for Gordon.(1-4-2008)
- Gaughan to test for Robby at Daytona UPDATE: Brendan Gaughan will fill in for Robby Gordon in the #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Ford during the upcoming Sprint Cup test session at Daytona International Speedway [didn't say which session]. Gordon is in Africa to compete in the Dakar Rally, which runs Jan. 5-20. With Gordon tied up, the #7 team opted to go with a substitute driver for the session, which begins Monday. Gaughan will fill that role, a team spokesman said Wednesday. Gaughan is currently without a NASCAR ride after his South Point Racing team in the Craftsman Truck Series closed down after a failed merger with Wyler Racing in the offseason. Gaughan will be working with the team's new crew chief, Frank Kerr, who came to RGM after being released from Michael Waltrip Racing, where he worked as a crew chief with David Reutimann's team last year.(SceneDaily.com)
UPDATE: #7-Robby Gordon had been scheduled to run the race in Dakar, which was cancelled, and will test at Daytona in the first session, scheduled for Jan 7-9th, Brendan Gaughan was to sub for Gordon.(1-2-2008)
- Changes at the #7 team? UPDATE: hearing that #7 Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo as well as car chief Bill Henderson have parted ways with #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports.(11-24-2007)
UPDATE: Robby Gordon Motorsports has named Frank Kerr to be crew chief for Robby Gordon's #7 Sprint Cup team in 2008. Kerr recently left Michael Waltrip Racing. Gordon may not be the driver for his team during the upcoming test session at Daytona International Speedway, though. The driver is making his annual trek to compete in the Dakar Rally and could still be involved in that event when testing begins at Daytona on Jan. 7.(SceneDaily.com)(12-18-2007)
- Jim Beam renews sponsorship with Robby Gordon: Jim Beam announced that it will continue its partnership with Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) as a primary sponsor of the #7 Ford Fusion driven by team owner and veteran driver Robby Gordon during the 2008 Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series season. Jim Beam will sponsor 13 Sprint Cup Series and two Nationwide Series races in 2008, the fourth year of the company's partnership with RGM and the second for Gordon in equipment provided by Ford Motor Company. With
one race to go this season, the #7 team sits in its highest position in the Nextel Cup Series owner points standings since forming prior to the 2005 season. Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship of Gordon and the #7 Ford Fusion to reach racing fans both on and off the track through a variety of racing related promotions to be announced prior to the end of 2007. The sponsorship also will support the Beam Global Spirits & Wine drink smart initiative. Jim Beam and Beam Global Spirits & Wine will execute programs throughout 2008 utilizing Gordon's profile as a successful driver to focus attention on preventing underage drinking and drunk driving. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.(Ketchum Sports Network PR)(11-17-2007)
